NRC
People who came from different parts of Assam for NRC re-verification, have been given food and shelter in Central Club, Jorhat. Image credit - Northeast Now

The people, who remained hungry after travelling hundreds of miles in the searing summer heat for NRC re-verification, have found succour in Jorhat  district.

Members of the Central Club, Jorhat, a socio-welfare cultural organization, has opened up its doors so that the weary and distressed can rest and relax in the club premises.

It has also opened up a kitchen to provide them food.

People from several Lower Assam districts including Kamrup (Rural) district have had to travel by bus and other means to appear before NRC Kendras in Upper Assam.

They have come to the district within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the notices from NRC Kendra in their respective districts of residence.

NRC
People who came from different parts of Assam for NRC re-verification, have been given food and shelter in Central Club, Jorhat. Image credit – Northeast Now
People who came from different parts of Assam for NRC re-verification, have been given food and shelter in Central Club, Jorhat. Image credit – Northeast Now

The Central Club, Jorhat was established in 1929.

Pervez Hussain, a member of the club said the Central Club had allowed the visitors, including women and children, to take rest in the club premises.

The club has also offered food and medicines after being approached by a human rights organization, he added.

Hussain said he took the initiative after discussing the matter with senior members who were all willing to help these people.

He said the decision was taken to provide relief to the tired people who were mostly poor as a humanitarian gesture.

He further said as soon as water, food and medicines were provided by a medical team, who visited each day, people from all sections and communities came out to assist with money and other commodities.

“A temporary kitchen is functioning in the club premises since Monday and will continue till the situation demands,” he added.

People who came from different parts of Assam for NRC re-verification, have been given food and shelter in Central Club, Jorhat. Image credit – Northeast Now
People who came from different parts of Assam for NRC re-verification, have been given food and shelter in Central Club, Jorhat. Image credit – Northeast Now

General secretary of Jorhat Central Club Toufiqul Hussain said the club had acted purely on a humanitarian consideration.

Toufiqul Hussain said about 1,600 people have been provided relief and shelter for a day each since Monday.

Several people, who found succour at the club, said they were indebted to the members of the club as they had no means to book hotel rooms and would have taken shelter under open sheds in this heat.

Smita Bhattacharyya is Northeast Now Correspondent in Jorhat. She can be reached at: [email protected]