Every passing day the well-being of his family hounds Asab Uddin. He migrated to Mizoram in search of a job but due to the lockdown, every commercial activity in the town has been shut down. The Police are patrolling day and night to maintain the protection of the people and ensure that people stay in their homes.

Mizoram also could not remain unaffected by this pandemic and reported one positive case which was later recovered but this has alarmed the administration to impose stringent containment measures followed by the lockdown. It was difficult and challenging times for the people in the state. Once the lockdown came into play the nation saw Mizoram setting up examples for the rest of the country to follow. The Mizo people have been up in arms with the local Government to deal with the situation. Task forces have been formed involving citizens with government. These task forces are working in coordination with the administration and trying to ensure that essential items are made available to the people under the lockdown.

North East India is generally not known for having migrants in higher numbers. However, there are exceptions like Mizoram where migrants mainly construction workers from nearby Barak Valley district of Assam and other areas come in search of work. These people migrate from Barak Valley to Mizoram in search of short terms employments in construction projects.

“Around 180 migrant workers were stranded in the two districts of Aizawl and Serchip and the Serchip alone had 120 migrants”, informed by the Director, Fr Lawrence Kennedy of Zoram Entu Pawl (ZEP), the diocesan social service society and partner of Caritas India in the state. These people are left with no money and food and at the left at God’s mercy. Local Samaritans helped them as much as possible but even they had limited resources.

“It was nearly a starvation situation for these workers, and we have supported them with dry ration” shared Fr Lawrence. All 180 migrants were provided with Rice, Dal, Vegetables, Oil, Milk, and cash support of Rs 1,000 to every migrant. These migrants came as individuals and had their families staying back home.

“We are stuck in Serchhip town due to lockdown. We have no money at hand to buy food until you all reached us. The support that we received from you is like a dream come true in this hour of difficulties. I on behalf of all the migrant workers here, sincerely convey my heartfelt gratitude to ZEP”, expresses Asab Uddin.