(Sher Bahadur Singh)

Twenty six Indian labourers who were constructing Dadeldhura district hospital are now staying in Bhimduttanagar- based quarantine. They were heading home after the shutdown of activities owing to the threat of deadly COVID-19 outbreak but got stranded midway.

However, the Indian nationals are found happy with the management of foods and other necessary arrangement at the quarantine established at Baijnath Engineering College building. One among those in quarantine, Bishwas shared that they were feeling good as they had got basic facilities- regular food and shelter in healthy environment.

"However, we want to go home after the lockdown is lifted,” he added. Similarly, Indian workers who set their journey on foot from Butwal are also staying in the same quarantine for 10 days. They also expressed satisfaction with the quarantine management. They said that they were not feeling any discrimination in the name of Indian citizens.

The Armed Police Force (APF) personnel visit them twice a day to know whether they are facing any sort of problems, according to him.

Chief of APF No 35 battalion Birsingh Sahu said 29 Indians were quarantined at the Baijanath School with proper arrangement for food, accommodation and other facilities. "We are committed to addressing all basic needs of Indian citizens in quarantine amidst fears of COVID-19 pandemic.”

A total of 75 Indian nationals are under the surveillance of local administration in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. Similarly, Indian citizens working at brick-kilns, road construction projects and other informal sectors have stayed in home quarantine.

The Kachanpur-based APF No 35 battalion has set up check-posts at around 80 locations along the Nepal-India border to prevent the illegal entry of people into the country during lockdown.

The APF is doing its best to make lockdown fully implemented along the border area amid the heightened risk of COVID-19.