Fmr secy to CM enters Arunachal, admins say no clue
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, May 4: Even as the state government is planning to evacuate stranded people and students from various parts of India in phases, starting with the green-zone states of the Northeast, around 42 Arunachalee students are reportedly on their way to Arunachal from Kota, Rajasthan, on buses.
It is learnt that some among the 42 students are from eastern Arunachal, while a few are from western Arunachal, including Itanagar. They have reportedly crossed West Bengal and are likely to reach Arunachal on Tuesday.
The report of the students coming from Kota – once considered a hotbed of Covid-19 – triggered a controversy as hundreds of stranded students in New Delhi are reportedly now seeking permission to come to Arunachal on buses. The stranded students are accusing the state government of being selective in evacuating the stranded students and other citizens.
Confirming the report, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said, “The students coming from Kota are from different categories; they are not college students. They are school students, gone there for coaching. They are coming in two buses, and have entered West Bengal and hopefully by tomorrow they will reach Arunachal.”
The CS said the quarantine norms will be applied to them and to whoever else that comes from outside the state.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that former secretary to the chief minister, Sonam Chombay, has already reached the state along with his family in a private bus, all the way from New Delhi, which is another ‘red zone’ classified state.
As per reports, the bus carrying Chombay and his family (a total of 10 people) reached the Bhalukpong check gate on Monday, where they were screened as per the standard operating procedure. The bus later proceeded on its way to Tawang.
However, the administrations of both West Kameng and Tawang districts claimed to have no knowledge of the arrival of the private bus with 10 people on board.
Tawang DC Sang Phuntsok informed this daily over phone that his office did not receive any official document permitting Chombay’s arrival in the district.
“We have not received any official document and we do not have any details yet. We’ll get details when they enter Jang tomorrow. They may have acquired permission, but I have not received any information regarding this yet,” he said.
Despite several attempts, this daily was unable to reach the former secretary to the CM for a comment.
