NEW DELHI: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the return of migrant workers to West Bengal has become another flashpoint between the Centre and the TMC-led state government with home minister Amit Shah alleging that the state government is not allowing special trains.
In a letter to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah said not allowing trains to reach West Bengal is “injustice” to the migrant workers from the state that may further create hardship for the labourers.
Responding to the home minister’s letter, the TMC accused Amit Shah of “lying” about the West Bengal government not allowing trains to reach the state, and said they have already planned eight trains to ferry migrants from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Telangana.
The first train will be leaving on Saturday from Hyderabad to Malda, the TMC said.
However, railway officials said there was no proposal on record so far with the national transporter to run any more ‘Shramik Special’ trains to the