Returnees our own, don't look down upon them: Himachal DIG

People who returned from other states to Himachal Pradesh are our own and there is no need to look down upon them, a senior Himachal Pradesh police officer has said.

The plea comes after several residents have started blaming those who are returning from other states for the recent spike in the novel coronavirus cases in the state.

Twelve people, who had recently returned from Mumbai, have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), taking number of confirmed infections in the state on Wednesday to 105, including 50 active cases, officials said.

Deputy Inspector General (Northern Range) Santosh Patial urged the people to act in a sensible and compassionate way.

In his message posted by the Kangra superintendent of police on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Patial said: "The Himachalis who have come from outside the state are our own people who had gone out in search of job and other sources of livelihood."