West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday visited relief camps in Alipurduar district in a bid to reach out to over 1,000 tribals from Assam who have taken refuge in the state following recent militant attacks.
Visiting the camps at Kumargram in north Bengal, Banerjee enquired about their needs and assured them of assistance.
"Don't worry, you are like one of us. We will take care of you," Banerjee said to one of those sheltering in the camps as she instructed government officials to ensure that all people in the camps are provided with food and warm clothes.
"They are more than guests, they are our own. We may not afford the best of the hospitality but we will do whatever is possible for us. It is our duty to stand beside our guests, who have to leave behind their homes and need our support," she said.
Comparing the December 23 killings by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), to the Peshawar school massacre in Pakistan, Banerjee appealed for maintaining peace and harmony.
Banerjee said over 1,000 people have already arrived in Bengal and more could be on their way.