Stay-on balm for Assam refugees

TT, Kumargram (Alipurduar), Dec. 27: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today promised “every possible help” to people who have fled the violence in Assam and are staying at relief camps in Bengal, inviting them to become residents of her state if they wanted.

“I have come here to share the pain of the people who have come to us from Assam. I am not here for politics. I would request all Kumargram residents to take care of the people who have taken shelter here. They are our guests and are close to our heart,” Mamata said at the Gayenpara camp, one of the four bases in Alipurduar for refugees from Assam.

Militants belonging to the National Democratic Front of Boroland’s Songbijit faction killed 64 Adivasis in the Kokrajhar and Sonitpur districts of the northeastern state on Tuesday.

The chief minister took a helicopter to reach Kumargram from the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary this afternoon.

“Earlier too (in 2012), people from Assam had come to camps set up in these areas of our state. When they expressed willingness to return, we had helped them reach their homes with escorts. This time too it is their prerogative whether they want to return or stay back. If they want to stay back, we have no problem,” Mamata said.

In Kumargram, near the Bengal-Assam border, relief camps have been set up by the Bengal government in a community hall and three schools. Over 2,000 people have taken shelter in the camps since Wednesday.

Mamata entered the camp at the community hall in Gayenpara, where 1,200 people have taken shelter, around 1pm and inspected the arrangements.

“I have come to know that a 14-day-old child is among those who have come. There are many other children who have become victims of circumstance. It is our duty to provide them shelter, food, clothes and other assistance. I would like to assure them that there is nothing to worry as the Bengal government will keep on supporting them,” Mamata said.

The chief minister distributed woollen garments among the refugees and interacted with some of them. Later, she visited the three other camps.