Inked and not loving it: Stamped returnees make skin rash plaint
Bhubaneswar: The normally safe indelible ink that makes its presence felt in every election, is leaving behind more than a mark when being applied on the arms of passengers arriving at the airport and at state borders. Many have been complaining of burning sensation and rashes, while some even had to consult doctors after the area where they had been inked developed blisters and skin infection.
The government had introduced a system where returnees are stamped (with the date of return) on their arms with the indelible ink so that they are easily identifiable once they go for 14-day quarantine, either at home or in government institutions.
In districts, the administrations engaged their officers to register people arriving from outside the state and ink them. In the capital city, it is the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) which deployed its personnel at the airport to stamp returnees. Ashis Hota, who came to Bhubaneswar from Jharsuguda in an Air India flight on Monday, was stamped at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. Moments later, the area where he was inked turned red and started swelling.
“I started feeling itchy and then the area where I had been stamped turned red,” Hota said.
Sristi Ray was stamped at Bhubaneswar airport. “Upon return at Biju Patnaik International Airport morning, I was stamped for quarantine. I have an infection. The ink is of extremely bad quality,” she tweeted.
People arriving at state borders by buses and other vehicles have also complained of skin diseases triggered by the ink. Kumar Abhisekh, a dermatologist at AMRI Hospital here, said the indelible ink seems to have got irritant properties and is the reason why it is causing rashes. “It gets compounded in people who have skin allergies. While in some cases it heals within a week, others may need treatment,” Kumar said. He felt the ink should be examined to check its properties so that the problem doesn’t persist.
BMC commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhury said it has come to his notice that the ink has been causing skin problem. “We will ensure treatment of the ones who have developed rashes due to the ink,” Chaudhury said.
Ironically, those travelling within the state by air are also getting stamped, contrary to norms. As many as 11 passengers who arrived at Bhubaneswar airport from Jharsuguda complained of being stamped. “The stamp is meant only for those who are coming from outside the state,” clarified special relief commissioner P K Jena, saying they would look into it.