Odisha Migrants in SUrat hold a strike AGAIN over train cancellation

Hundreds of distress Odia migrant workers held a strike on roads at Surat upon learning the Odisha government has revoked permission to three trains which were scheduled to leave from Surat city of Gujarat on Friday.

Till Thursday, 18 Shramik Special trains, each taking 1,200 migrants, had left for Odisha from Surat. Surat collector Dhaval Patel informed journalists that all the three trains listed for May 8 stand cancelled following an Odisha High Court order.

“As per the order, only those testing negative for coronavirus will be allowed to board (Odisha-bound) trains. People can not go unless their report comes negative. Thus, the Odisha government has cancelled the three trains which were scheduled to depart from here on Friday,” said Patel. He said the district administration had urged the Railway authorities to refund the ticket fare.