Though the West Bengal Government has allegedly not been prompt in ensuring the return of its stranded residents from Haridwar, about 150 Bengalis departed for their home State in buses on Sunday. They were permitted to leave by the local administration with e-passes. Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister and State Government spokesman Madan Kaushik said that Uttarakhand Government had repeatedly contacted the West Bengal Government to facilitate the return of Bengalis stranded in Haridwar. However, the State Government had not received any response from West Bengal, he said.
About 900 residents of West Bengal have been stranded in Haridwar for about 50 days due to the lockdown.
They have been making consistent attempts to return to their home state but were unable to do so. Their patience gave way after May 3, when they staged a protest demonstration accusing the West Bengal government of remaining apathetic towards their condition and not facilitating their return efficiently.
Devashish Dhar from West Bengal said that the Uttarakhand government and local administration had provided a lot of support to the Bengalis stranded in Haridwar. If the West Bengal government had also worked in a similar manner, the stranded Bengalis would have been home by now, he said before boarding the bus out of Haridwar. Another person boarding the bus to West Bengal said that they had been informed that their home state would allow them entry on the basis of the e-pass. They would have to spend some time under quarantine. Stating that the Uttarakhand government had supported the stranded Bengalis considerably, he said that the government of his home state had provided only a little cooperation. Meanwhile, Haridwar city magistrate Jagdish Lal said that about 150 people have been allowed to depart for West Bengal. This process will continue, he added.
Earlier, addressing media persons in Dehradun, cabinet minister Madan Kaushik said that repeated communications sent to the West Bengal government regarding the return of its stranded residents in Haridwar had not received any response. He said that the Bengalis stranded in Haridwar were under considerable stress and were being provided necessary facilities and even counseling to handle the situation.