India Supreme Court orders government to transport displaced migrant workers home within 15 days News
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India Supreme Court orders government to transport displaced migrant workers home within 15 days

India’s Supreme Court ordered the government on Tuesday to transport migrant workers displaced from the COVID-19 lockdown home within 15 days and encouraged state governments to withdraw charges against migrant workers who broke lockdown measures.

The Supreme Court’s decision allows migrant workers who work in India’s major cities to return to their villages. The nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 imposed fines and year-long prison sentences for those who violated lockdown measures as part of section 51 of Disaster Management Act. The lockdown particularly impacted migrant workers, many of whom attempted to return home by foot.

The court order requires governments to transport migrant workers back to their hometowns within 15 days by bus or train, with a further order for railways to operate 171 trains within 24 hours to aid in this transportation.

Millions of workers in India are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more on COVID-19, see our special coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.