Nirmala Carvalho

A styrene gas leak occurred last night from the depots of LG Polymers, a multinational company. The firm had just reopened after nearly two months of lockdown. Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu: “The gas has spread within 3 km and has affected people, animals, birds, trees. It is said to be a gas that can be deadly, and that affects the nervous system. " "A tragedy similar to Bhopal".

The government-imposed quarantine has left hundreds of millions of people unemployed, unable to go home to their villages of origin., “My people are helping India develop and grow,” says Archbishop John Barwa. They “must be treated with respect and dignity. I am waiting for my people to return home to their families.” The diocese has distributed 20,000 food rations to migrants in its territory.

Left unemployed, they demonstrate to be able to return to their homes. Bishop Percival Fernandez: “This problem must be managed by governments as it is not possible for voluntary groups to manage everything necessary. This problem requires interstate planning."

Eighteen migrant workers tried to return to their village hiding inside a cement mixer lorry. People are "desperate" after being out of work for more than a month, without money or food. The “lockdown has reduced them to [a level of] indignity never seen before.” In villages women suffering emotional trauma are near starvation.

Due to coronavirus, unemployment rose from 7-8 per cent last year. Widespread poverty has favoured bonded and child labour. Diocesan employees will receive their March and April salaries, this despite the lockdown. Priests have been asked to donate their holiday allowance.

“No one has a place for us. We build cities, posh houses; yet we don't even have a mattress to lie down and sleep,” one migrant said.

Some Indian states complained that the kits had a 5 per cent accuracy rate. They were tested on patients that had already tested positive but with negative results for antibodies.

“As the economy may take time to turn around, we expect this situation to continue for some time. If it does, the number of needy families will continue to grow.” Meanwhile, “Our team visited women and children who are suffering from anxiety over the future.”

For Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Behrampur, "policies take into account the urban population, but the basic situation of the villages is never taken into consideration". A priest was arrested for breaking lockdown regulations; he was later released.

The incident occurred in the village of Damoh. According to the police, the girl suffered deep eye injuries so that she could not recognize her assailant. Felix Machado: "A shameful act"

Every afternoon, volunteers (ex-students) distribute 300 lunch packets to migrants and destitute people on the streets of Bandra, at the railway station and at a bus stand. “The orphanage is for destitute and orphaned children, so our children learn to share with others.”

The lockdown has led to widespread unemployment and the consequent loss of livelihoods for those workers who live on daily wages and tribals.