JORHAT, Aug 7 - At a time when the mercury is on the rise and thousands of people from lower Assam districts are rushing to upper Assam districts, including Jorhat, for NRC re-verification, a local voluntary organisation here since the past three days has come forward to provide succour to the distressed and weary people.
It may be mentioned here that people, mostly from Kamrup district, were asked to appear before NRC kendras in upper Assam by NRC offices of respective lower Assam districts, within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the notices.
The Central Club Jorhat, a well-known socio-cultural voluntary organisation of upper Assam established in 1929, after being approached by a member of a Human Rights Group, allowed the visiting people including women and children, for NRC purpose to take rest in the club premises and also offered food and medicines.
Pervez Hussain, a youth member of the club, who is also associated with several social organisations, told this newspaper that he took the initiative after discussing with senior members to let the club open its doors to the people who have travelled hundreds of kilometres to take rest before going to the kendras.
Hussain said that the decision was taken to provide relief to the tired people who were mostly poor as a humanitarian gesture.
�As we decided to provide food, water and medicines to children and those who were feeling unwell, with a medical team too visiting each day, people from all sections, communities have come forward to contribute money for helping the visitors,� Hussain stated.
A temporary kitchen is functioning in the club premises since Monday and will continue till the situation demands, he added.
General Secretary of Jorhat Central Club, Toufiqul Hussain said that the club has acted purely on a humanitarian basis without considering caste, creed and religion.
He said that the club was providing only relief to people who have come to appear at NRC kendras for reverification. The general secretary said that so far about over 1500 people daily since Monday have taken shelter for a day.
Many people to whom this correspondent talked, thanked the club for providing them a place to take rest and food in difficult times.
