Covid-19 outbreak: Naveen Patnaik urges CMs to assist people from Odisha stranded in different states

BHUBANESWAR: Amid concerns over Covid-19 outbreak, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday appealed to his counterparts in other states to come to the rescue of Odias stranded across the country. Naveen also pledged all possible support to stranded persons from other states in Odisha.


While over 78,000 persons have already reached Odisha from different states in the past one week, a large number of people of the state are still stuck following nationwide lockdown to keep Covid-19 at bay. Videos of several stranded persons with emotional appeals for help have been doing rounds in social media.

“I would make an earnest appeal to you that any person or group of persons from Odisha stranded in any part of your state many please be assisted with basic food, accommodation and security,” said Naveen’s letter. Naveen urged the chief ministers to circulate his message to district collectors of the concerned states. “I will be grateful if this message is passed on to district collectors. Odisha will bear whatever cost is needed for their (Odias) safekeeping,” the letter said.

Naveen said all the district collectors in Odisha have been instructed to extend assistance to people in distress from other states stuck in Odisha. Naveen, who termed novel coronavirus as a challenge for human race, transgressing all boundaries, said cost of the assistance to stranded persons from other states will be met from the Odisha chief minister’s relief fund.

“In case anyone from your state is stranded in Odisha and our system has not responded, kindly inform me directly. I am always available. This is one of the most challenging times faced by the human race. I am sure all of us will overcome the crisis with our joint resolve and action,” said Naveen in the letter.

The chief minister also informed his counterparts that a control room has been set up in the state home department to coordinate with other states where people from Odisha are stuck. State home secretary Sanjiv Chopra (0674-2531515, 0674-2534453, 9439027711) and inspector general of police (operations) Amitabh Thakur (0674-2533230, 0674-2544080, 9938100000, 9439815986) are monitoring the control room. The control room will also oversee enforcement of lockdown across Odisha.