Mamata Banerjee offers shelter to Bangladeshi refugees

KOLKATA: In the backdrop of the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday suggested that she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter.

Addressing the ‘Martyrs Day’ rally of the TMC in Esplanade, Kolkata, Banerjee said “ Whatever is happening in Bangladesh is their internal matter and we as a state cannot comment on this . But according to UN guidelines we will welcome all refugees who will be dislodged from their home and hearth in Bangladesh and seek refuge in our state.”

She stated an example from Assamese people who were allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of north Bengal for a considerable period during the Bodo strife in the northeastern state.

Assuring all cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives may have remained stuck on account of the escalating violence on the eastern side of the international border, she also extended assistance to Bangladeshis who came to Bengal but were facing difficulty in returning home.