Bring back Arunachalee students from coronavirus-hit states:

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) on Wednesday urged the state government to take steps in bringing back Arunachalee students from the novel coronavirus-hit places across the country.

The students' body, in a statement, said many students from the state are panicked in wake of the coronavirus outbreak and are expressing their desire to return home.

"The state government should immediately open a line of communication with state governments across the country to assist the Arunachalee students and arrange transportation and relief for them," AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said.

The students' body also urged the MPs from the state to render necessary support in bringing back the students.

"In Maharashtra, colleges and hostels have been ordered to close down. In J T Mahajan College of Engineering, Faizpur, for instance, students have been directed to vacate the hostels within three days.

"Twelve Arunchalee students faced serious hardships in arranging their train tickets at such short notice," Dai said.

He said similar hardships are being faced by Arunachalee students in other parts of the country.

The union appreciated Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal East constituency, Tapir Gao, for raising the issue of racial discrimination faced by students from the Northeast in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

"We urge the Centre to issue directives to contain such instances and initiate necessary action," Dai added.