Fearing lockdown, migrants once again march back to their homes

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jan 10, 2022 | moderator

Digital Desk : The fear has returned back and so the long march. Fearing another lockdown as the country witnesses a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases, migrants from many states engaged in odd jobs, have begun their return to their home town.

Not waiting to face the circumstances witnessed in the previous coronavirus-induced lockdown, where the migrant labourers face food shortage, struggled with access to healthcare, and acute livelihood problems after many losing their jobs, are once again heading back to their home states fearing that the weekly curfew might be converted to a lockdown.

There are stories coming from all quarters where the fear has returned among many migrants, are mulling to head back to their homes to avoid the problematic circumstances of mass exodus.

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33-year-old Raju from Gonda district has returned back home, fearing of another lockdown. Speaking to a media person, Raju quipped, “In the previous lockdown, my kids were staying with me. We did not have money and had to survive without food for one day. After borrowing money from my friend, I returned home. This time, I did not wait for anything. If curfew will not be extended, we will return.”

“One of my villagemen Vinod has also returned along with me. Covid cases are increasing. We will think about going back when the situation becomes normal,” Raju further said.

The migrants working in Delhi are concerned as the national capital continues to witness Covid cases surge crossing over 20,000 cases in a day. Due to the surge in the infection, the probability of a lockdown lingers large even though the AAP led government in Delhi has shunned from any lockdown announcement.

Labourers who faced hardships last lockdown, are returning back to their homes. The bus fares have also increased this time, forcing many to rush to their home town fearing further rise in the price if lockdown is imposed.

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Many labourers hailing from Bihar, Gonda and Moradabaad have left for their homes.

If one recollects, the last lockdown saw one of humanity’s worst crisis when images and videos of migrants walking back to their homes, as vehicle movement stopped, forcing them to march on foot.

Many couldn’t survive the arduous march, as food, hunger and scorching weather pulled out their lives amid the Covid outbreak.