Didi promises help to people crossing from Assam, sets up relief camps

The CM assured assistance to people crossing over from Assam to escape violence.

As many 83 people were killed in a series of deadly attacks on tribals in Assam by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-Songbijit faction) militants on Tuesday.

Banerjee, however, did not mention the number of people who fled to West Bengal following the attacks. She said that more than half of them are tribals, sources said.

Banerjee also bought 1,000 sweaters with her own money to distribute among the affected people on behalf of the Trinamool Congress. Blankets, clothes, sweaters and food stuff are already being provided by the state government.

The CM said that if any organization wants to provide relief material to the affected people it can hand them over to the Siliguri police commissioner.

“I will personally visit two relief camps on Sunday and talk to the inmates. Militants have no class, creed or religion. In times of crisis, instead of politics, one should stand beside the violence-affected persons for the sake of humanity,” the Trinamool chief said.

Meanwhile, the army said that it would intensify operations against the Bodo militants in Assam. Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag is likely to visit Assam on Saturday to take stock of the situation in the violence-hit region.

He said that 66 Army columns (70 personnel in each column) had already been deployed in Assam for counter insurgency operations.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met the army chief to review the security situation in Assam.

It was further learnt that the Home Minister discussed the issue of coordinated operations with armies of Bhutan and Myanmar against the NDFB militants. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj already spoke to the Bhutan government which assured her of action against terror outfit.

Similarly Myanmar has also given assurance to flush out terrorists from their territories, reports said.