Police vehicle ferries woman, daughter, girl walking from Krishnagiri to T’malai

The three women – identified as Victoria (24) wife of Kannadasan (29) of Vadamathimangalam village in Polur taluk, their daughter Aparna (4) and Victoria’s grandmother Kadeerna (70) worked as daily wagers in Krishnagiri town. Kannadasan worked as a mason there. However, things took a turn for the worse when Kannadasan, who came to Vadamathimangalam to participate in a family function, could not return to Krishnagiri due to the lockdown.

Victoria and Kadeerna also lost their jobs due to the coronavirus induced curfew and they ran out of money. It was when they decided to walk the 165 km back to their native village. They started from Krishnagiri on May 4 and while Aparna was able to walk for short distances she had to be carried either by her mother or great grandmother.

Recalling the help, they received, Victoria said, “police en route aided us by giving food, while a lorry driver gave us a lift for a short distance. When we entered Tiruvannamalai district via Chengam, we were allowed to proceed only after a medical check.” In Tiruvannamalai, when they were walking in front of the Collectorate, they were questioned by the police. On hearing their tale of woe, information was passed on to SP MR Sibi Chakravarthy and ADSP T Ashok Kumar. Sibi Chakravarthy said, “After walking all the way, the least we could do was to lend a helping hand and so I ordered that the three women be dropped at Vadamathimangalam, 50 km away, by an official vehicle.” ADSP Ashok Kumar said, “When the vehicle reached Vadamathimangalam, they were quarantined after initial check-up.” Now, they are finally home.