Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, April 08: A lot of Islanders are stranded in Chennai and Kolkata and are eager to return back to Andamans but as they are unable to do so because of the lockdown. They are also not sure whether they will be able to come back even when the lockdown is over as it is still not clear from which date the flights service to Andaman will resume.
While a section of people are requesting the administration to do certain arrangements to bring the stranded Islanders back to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there are some other section of people who are strongly advocating that even if some flights are allowed from the mainland to Port Blair all the passengers should be mandatorily kept in separate isolation rooms arranged by the administration and not in-home quarantine, so that, the infection does not spread further in Andaman.
Recently, Mr. Subodh Mandol, Ex- Upadhyaksh, North and Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad and current ZP Member of Kalighat Constituency requested the Andaman Administration that till there is single case of COVID-19, those coming from Mainland must be kept in separate quarantine.
However, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the lone Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has recently requested the administration to make transportation arrangements for people stranded in Mainland following the demands from the family members of the stranded islanders.
Here those Islanders who are struck at Chennai and Kolkata, most of whom are either students and patients or attendants are going through a horrible time in Mainland India. Many are forced to pay heavily for rooms and many are facing difficulties in even getting food. There are many who are running short of money.
Keeping in mind both the genuine factors it is hoped that the administration will make the right call in this regard and take decision considering safety of all Islanders, even those, who are stranded in Mainland India.
