Rayagada (Odisha): A woman police officer from Odisha has set an example by helping migrant workers from the Rayagada district to reach the border checkpoints closest to their home states.
Bijayalakshmi Hikka, a woman police officer in Odisha's Rayagada district who is posted as an in-charge at Seshkhal police station on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, has taken upon herself the responsibility of ensuring the safe return of migrant labourers to their native places.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Bijayalaxmi said, "One can get relief from pain by taking medicines, but how can a person mitigate the sufferings of migrant labourers who are walking miles and miles on foot to stave off hunger. God has given me an opportunity to serve them and provide them some assistance at a time when coronavirus pandemic has spread everywhere."
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"With active cooperation of and guidance from the Superintendent of Police of the District, Dr. Sarbana Vivek M, I am transporting these migrant labourers up to their respective state border by six private and three government buses. Every day I perform my duty at the border from 9 am in the morning till late hours of the night along with CRPF Jawans," Bijayalaxmi said.
Four days ago, over 300 migrant labourers of Kalahandi district had come to Odisha from Andhra Pradesh. Among them were six pregnant women, one of whom was experiencing labour pain. Bijayalakshmi immediately took her to a temporary medical centre. After receiving necessary medical help, the woman was sent home, sources added.
Apart from helping migrants, Bijayalaxmi has also taken up the responsibility of nabbing the liquor mafia along the border areas.
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