Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said 133 people from West Bengal sought refuge in Dhubri district of Assam fearing for their lives due to violence in the panchayat elections in the state. Replying to a tweet by Bengal LoP Suvendhu Adhikari, who thanked the Chief Minister for the help, Sarma said West Bengal is "our valued and respected neighbors and can rely on us for any humanitarian aid during times of crisis."
"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," tweeted the Assam Chief Minister.
"We consider the people of West Bengal as our valued and respected neighbors. 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," Sarmafurther tweeted in response to Suvendhu Adhikari thanking him for the help.
Adhikari had earlier thanked the Assam CM for the help and tweeted, "I would like to thank the Hon'ble CM of Assam; Shri @himantabiswa Ji, for providing relief to the tormented Opposition Party Karyakartas of WB, especially those from BJP, who time & again are subjected to poll related violence and being in close proximity to the State of Assam, they find it safe to cross over with their families for their safety. Kindly accept my gratitude."
Since the West Bengal panchayat polls were announced on June 8, there has been extensive violence in various parts of the state, resulting in the deaths of over 30 people.
On polling day, 15 people died and there were reports of ballot boxes being vandalised, ballot papers torched, and bombs thrown at rivals in several places. Of those deceased people, 11 were affiliated with the TMC.
Meanwhile, early trends show the Trinamool Congress leading by a huge margin in all the three-tier panchayat polls -- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad. TMC had won 90 per cent of panchayat seats and all 22 zilla parishads in the 2018 rural elections.