Srinagar, 10 May, (KNS): Amid stranded Kashmiri’s outside started reaching home, at least 985 Kashmiri students studying in Karnataka, left Bengaluru for Udhampur district of Jammu region on Sunday after remained stuck for 47 days in wake of nationwide lockdown, officials said.

“Around 985 Kashmiri students boarded a special train that left Chikbanawar station in the city’s eastern suburb at 12:30 pm for Udhampur under police escort”, police officials told media.

He said the students, as per SOPs, registered themselves with the state government to travel by the special train were brought to the station in special buses from K R Puram area in Bengaluru.

He said though the special train was scheduled to leave at 11:00 am but due to screening and boarding protocol, it delayed in its departure by 90 minutes.

Reports reached to KNS said that students were screened thoroughly at the station with thermal devices followed by medical certificate was given indicating they were free from Covid-19 symptoms.

Meanwhile Zonal Railway in its tweet said, “The special train has been arranged from Bengaluru to help the Jammu and Kashmir students reach their home”.

At the occasion, details of passengers, coach-wise with their address and mobile numbers were also collected from them for contact tracing. “To ensure social distancing and acting upon advisories, only 54 passengers were allowed in each bus during the journey with directions passed to them regarding wearing masks and sanitizing hands as mandatory for their welfare”, official said.

He said each passenger was given food kits before starting to travel while zonal railways will also serve food packets to the passenger’s en-route.

Official added that a contingent of Railway Protection Force (RPF) was also deputed for their security till they reach their destination.

Pertinently Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its order permitted stranded people, including migrant labourers, workers, students, tourists and pilgrims to return to their homes in special trains from across the country since May 1. (KNS)