Coronavirus: After UP's bleach spray controversy, Kerala says it used soap and water on migrants
New Delhi/IBNS: After the shocking images of migrant workers in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly being forced to take an open bath in group with chlorinated water before their entry into the district featured, fire department officials in Kerala have said that they used a jet of soap and water as part of disinfection drive.
The video of that drive has been widely shared on social media.
A twitter user named Kushal Kumar Sinha posted a video showing how Kerala Fire Service personnel are spraying 'disinfectant' on those entering the state.
Posting the video, Sinha wrote: "For those questioning UP's move to spray disinfectant on migrants. Well, this video is from Kerala. Kerala Fire Service personnel spraying disinfectant on those who are entering the state.
Any thoughts on this ? Video credits - @CjVarghese96."
For those questioning UP's move to spray disinfectant on migrants. Well, this video is from Kerala. Kerala Fire Service personnel spraying disinfectant on those who are entering the state.
— Kushal Kumar Sinha (@KushalSinha001) March 30, 2020
Any thoughts on this ?
Video credits - @CjVarghese96 pic.twitter.com/5mWmG4OTm8
After the 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced several workers returning home in Uttar Pradesh were made to squat on the road and then were sprayed with bleach and chlorinated water before their entry into the state's Bareilly district.
The video, which went viral on social media, has been thoroughly criticised as these disinfectants are toxic to humans.
After drawing flak, District Magistrate of Bareilly, Nitish Kumar, said that he had ordered action against officials who forced the migrant workers to take bath in the open with sanitizer solution.
Meanwhile, even as the Indian government said the country is witnessing only 'local transmission' of the COVID-19 disease at present, the number of infected cases took a steep rise on Monday to reach 1315 and deaths mounted to 36, as per update at 9:45 pm.
According to the latest tally, India presently has 1156 active cases of Novel Coronavirus while 123 people have recovered.
Amidst the 21-day lockdown called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the spread of coronavirus, several migrant workers were seen crossing the state borders to reach their homes though the central government has repeatedly urged people to stay wherever they were.
Distressing accounts surfaced on Saturday night from the national capital where thousands of migrant workers, even while fearing for their lives due to virus spread, crowded into bus terminals around Delhi to return back to their hometowns and villages in Uttar Pradesh after they were left with no jobs, shelter or money.
Several narratives of men, women and children trekking on foot in searing heat to their villages have also surfaced after PM Modi's announcement of lockdown for three weeks.
While many migrant workers were seen harassed by police officials on roads, Prime Minister Modi during his monthly radio address to the nation on Sunday apologised for causing "inconvenience" to the poor.
(Image Credit: Video grab from Kushal Kumar Sinha's post)
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