Mysore/Mysuru: As the second wave of pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the district, the homeless and destitutes, who are one of the most vulnerable to infection, are in the lurch.

“I lost my both legs due to gangrene. Being unable to work, my family members kicked me out of my house. I didn’t want to die, so I came to Mysuru to  find a new life. I am dependant on others for my basic needs, but again, due to this pandemic, it is difficult to find food every day. If the situation continues the same, I may die of hunger any time,” said Chinnaswamy who lives on the streets of Mysuru.

“Before COVID Curfew, I used to sleep outside a temple. Now, it is closed. If we sleep on footpath, Police personnel asks us to vacate the place, but sometimes, out of courtesy, they allow us to sleep. Once or twice in a day, some donors come here distribute food to us. Some days, we spend the whole day in hunger, quench our thirst with just water,” he added.

Another homeless person Eranna said, “I have my own house and land in Tumkur. But I left my native due to some family dispute. Over the last one year, I have been selling peanuts to travellers in City Railway Station. Sometimes, I even visit rural areas to sell them. Ever since the curfew was imposed 15 days ago, I could not sell and hence sleeping on roadside. Now, I am totally dependent on donors for food.” 

Efforts are yet to be made to shelter those living on the streets and provide them with necessary facilities. 

The district administration still has not taken any necessary step to rehabilitate these homeless and destitutes in the event of a prolonged lockdown.

“I would request the district administration to set up a rehabilitation centre for us. It would greatly help us and save our lives,” Eranna added.