Bareilly treatment

THE Supreme Court has rightly observed that panic and fear are becoming a bigger problem than coronavirus. The paranoia triggered by the pandemic outbreak and the consequent lockdown is manifesting itself in disturbing ways. On Sunday, migrant workers heading home were sprayed with a solution containing sodium hypochlorite — often used to keep swimming pools sanitised — at a bus station in Bareilly (UP). The exercise was carried out without any regard for the health — and dignity — of the labourers. The local authorities initially justified the use of the hazardous chemical, but following a backlash, the district magistrate admitted that officials had gone overboard. Nothing less than exemplary punishment can deter overzealous personnel from exceeding their brief.

In UP as well as Bihar, jobless workers, having walked hundreds of miles to reach their native villages, are being treated like pariahs back home. There have been several instances of fellow villagers refusing entry to such persons and handing them over to the police and medical authorities. A resident of Madhaul village in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district was allegedly murdered by workers returning from other states after he informed health officials about their arrival.

The workers’ exodus has undermined the Central and state governments’ efforts to strictly enforce the 21-day lockdown. Having already lost their jobs, these labourers are now facing victimisation, which is making it all the more difficult for them to rebuild their lives. The authorities should get their testing done on priority, but without degrading or harassing them. Another challenge for the officials is to ensure that the benefits of the Rs 1.7 lakh crore package announced by the Centre for the poor reach these people. And most importantly, there is a dire need to contain the ‘infodemic’ — the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media — that is fuelling mistrust and suspicion between and within communities. There should be no let-up in punitive action being taken against the rumour-mongers.