The West Bengal government has started repairing 10 flood shelters in Alipurduar district, near the State’s border with Assam, anticipating the arrival of those who have been left out of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
“We are prepared for any eventuality,” Alipurduar District Magistrate Nikhil Nirmal told The Hindu . “So far, we have not received any instruction [about people from Assam seeking shelter in Bengal]. But if such a situation arises, we will act according to the government’s instructions.”
The shelters are located in Changmari, Pakriguri, Madhya Haldibari and Hemaguri villages in the Kumargram block and Dangi, Chepani and Purba Salbari villages in the Alipurduar II block. Each can accommodate 300 people.
Trinamool Congress leaders did not rule out the possibility of the shelters being used to accommodate the people from Assam. “We are waiting for instructions from the government,” a Trinamool MLA said.
‘Routine patrolling’
Residents said the shelters were being repaired for the first time in the last three to four years. The police deployment on Alipurduar’s border with Assam would not be much. But ever since the draft was published, there had been more patrolling in the area, they said. However, Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar Yadav called it “routine.”
