Banihal, Mar 26 (KNS): National Conference leader and District president Ramban, Sajjad Shaheen on Thursday, demanded immediate evacuation of labourers, traders and students hailing from Jammu and Kashmir who are stranded in different parts of the country and have been hit hard over the Coronavirus crisis that has resulted into a countrywide lockdown.

In a Press statement issued to KNS, Shaheen expressed deep concern over the condition of these labourers especially belonging to different areas of Ramban district who are stuck in different states of the country. He further said, that over two thousand labourers, traders and students hailing from different areas of Banihal constituency that include Mahu, Mangit, Khari, Nadika, Trigam, Kumbla, Buzla, Srachi, Hinjhal, Fagow, Tethar, Chachal, Neel, Chaknarwah, Chamalwas, Pogal, Paristan, Summar, Gagarnag and other parts of District Ramban have got stuck up in different states that include Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Delhi and various other states of the country. Some labourers from Banihal are also stuck in Jammu and other districts of J&K. They should be immediately brought back to their homes in view of the alarming spread of COVID-19.

“Under the prevailing circumstances these labourers are the worst-hit because they are dependent on their daily earnings to meet the basic needs and their earnings have been badly hit as ‘’I have been receiving lots of SOS calls from the stranded people and their families that these labourers are running short of money and cannot sustain for too long away from their homes,” Shaheen added.

While appreciating the local administration for the measures being taken for prevention of Coronavirus spread in district Ramban, Shaheen said that the government of J&K should ensure availability of ration including rice, Sugar, Flour, Kerosene oil and LPG in government depots and fair price shops in the areas so that poor inhabitants of the district are not left craving for essential commodities.

Shaheen demanded that J&K government should provide 3 months free ration to the affected people especially those of labourers, small scale traders, and other marginalized sections of the society till the situation arising out of COVID-19 is overcome.

“The J&K government should also ensure availability of medicines COVID 19 testing kits, PP