Assam brought back as many as 391 students, who were stranded in coaching hub Kota in Rajasthan, amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the students will remain under 14-days quarantine to ensure safety. Sarma also informed that the students have been shifted to Sarusajai Sports Complex.
The 391 students started their 2000-kilometre journey from Kota in 17 buses on April 24th, 2020 and crossed through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to reach Chirang district of Assam on the April 26th, 2020.
“Returning to my home state feels great. We were taken care of. We thank the government for taking care of us so well,” said a student.
The boys have been kept at the Sarusajai quarantine centre and the girls in three hotels.
The Assam government had air-dropped a team of eight police officers to Kota on April 23rd, 2020 to facilitate the return trip of the students. Each student paid Rs 7,000 for the trip back home.
Sarma also informed that the health department will conduct swab tests on the students on the fifth day upon their arrival in Assam. The students will be released as per the test reports and doctor’s advice.
Kota is a coaching hub where medical and engineering aspirants from across the country go every year in large numbers.
Thousands of students from across the country preparing for competitive exams have been stuck in coaching hub Kota following the COVID-19 lockdown.
Photo credit: @himantabiswa
