SPs asked to remain alert on mass return of stranded people to Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: With the Odisha government expecting the return of more than five lakh people stranded in other states after the end of the May 3 lockdown, the state police headquarters has asked the superintendents of police (SPs) to remain alert. Districts like Ganjam, Kendrapada, Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi are likely to see the mass return of people, mostly migrant labourers.
It would be a challenging task for police to maintain law and order amid the the sudden rush of the return of migrants. They are keeping their fingers crossed after the recent violations of quarantine rules by suspected corona-affected patients, who escaped from different institutional centres, in several districts. Another cause for their concern is the possible social ostracism that was already seen in many villages following the return of people from different districts in the state.
“We will be faced with a number of challenges after the return of lakhs of people from other states. Recently, tension gripped several villages after some of their native residents returned from other districts in the state. Instances of social ostracism against those returning also came to the fore in some villages. Similar unpleasant scenes cannot be ruled out when people return from other states,” a senior police officer said.
The police fear that social ostracism may lead to violence and group clashes. “We may face more challenges in villages where people return from worst-affected states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Though the government has made quarantine arrangements in gram panchayats for all such persons, villagers may mete out harsh treatment to them,” the officer apprehended.
Director general of police Abhay held a video conference with range inspectors generals (IGs) and SPs on Friday and briefed them about the police preparedness to thwart any exigency. In a circular to the SPs, Abhay laid stress on reassessment of force deployment in sensitive regions and assured to provide all possible logistic support to SPs to maintain peace and harmony. More police officers and force will be sent to places that witness mass return of people from other states. DGP also asked police stations to strengthen intelligence networks and coordinate with village communities and Sarapanchas so that all the returnees obey government’s compulsory quarantine norms.
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