Adivasis flee to West Bengal

We have made arrangements to help them, says Mamata

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Hundreds of Adivasis from Assam have taken shelter in Alipurduar district of West Bengal to escape the violence in Kokrajhar and other adjoining districts of the neighbouring State.

Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Megharia told

The Hindu on Thursday that Adivasis, particularly Santhals, had arrived at three-four places in the district, and necessary arrangements had been made for their stay.

Most of the people were housed in a community hall under the Changmari gram panchayat. Some had sought refuge in Haldibari and Bithibari. The people, carrying their essentials, had come primarily from Kokrajhar district.

Mr. Megharia said that along with the State police, one company of Central Reserve Security Forces had been deployed in the area to ensure security.

Expressing her anguish over the killings, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on a social networking site: “Many Adivasi families have started coming to our State for shelter. We have made necessary arrangements to help them and we will continue to do so.”

Alipurduar district, which borders Assam, witnessed a similar influx in August and September 2012 when violence between two communities was reported in the districts of lower Assam.