Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that the State has given shelter to 133 people, who fled West Bengal fearing for their lives due to violence during the panchayat election.
Taking to Twitter, he said: “Yesterday, 133 individuals who feared for their lives due to violence in the panchayat election in West Bengal sought refuge in Dhubri district of Assam. We have provided them with shelter in a relief camp, as well as food and medical assistance.”
West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed his gratitude to Mr. Sarma for providing relief to the “tormented opposition party karyakartas” of West Bengal, especially those from the BJP”.
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Mr. Adhikari said the BJP workers in West Bengal have been, time and gain, subjected to poll-related violence and they find it safe to cross over with their families to Assam for their safety.
“We consider the people of West Bengal as our valued and respected neighbours. During the previous assembly election in West Bengal, we extended the same assistance. Please be assured that you can rely on us for any humanitarian aid during times of crisis,” Mr. Sarma said in reply to Mr. Adhikari.
But West Bengal’s Social Welfare Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Shashi Panja was not amused.
The Assam Chief Minister “must be nauseated from the dizzying heights of self-righteousness and misplaced moral superiority,” he said.
“Before raising a false alarm and creating a sense of panic, he should consider the fate of the 1.9 million residents of Assam who were rendered stateless due to NRC (National Register of Citizens),” Dr. Panja said.
