By TCN News
New Delhi: Over two lakh persons are still housed in relief camps in Dhubri, Chirang and Kokrajhar districts of Lower Assam, in the wake of a series of violent clashes. This is down to about half the peak of nearly five lakh people in camps, making it one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in independent India. All these internally displaced persons fled from their villages in fear of violence, and many because their homes were torched and belongings looted. There is little hope that everyone will be able to return home in the immediate future.
Over two lakh people continue to be in relief camps
To assist in relieving immediate suffering, but also as a gesture of solidarity and caring with the suffering people of both affected communities, the Bodos and Bengali Muslims, a initiative is being launched which will involve youths of both communities to help with the relief and reconciliation work.
Initially joint teams of young Bodo and Bengali Muslims will supply relief materials and services in the camps together. The initial focus is to support children and youth in these camps with textbooks, play things, clothes, etc, and women with clothes, sanitary napkins etc; and also utensils, treated mosquito nets etc. This initiative would be in collaboration with TISS Guwahati.
Aman Biradari, the organization behind this initiative has set a target to raise at least around 20 lakh rupees initially, to make a small but tangible contribution.
The organization appealed on Saturday to people of goodwill everywhere to contribute to the effort. The entire money would be transferred to the joint youth group in Assam, to use entirely for purchase and distribution of relief material in both the Bodo and Bengali Muslim camps. The accounts will be managed by the Centre for Equity Studies, which will get these independently audited, and the audited accounts will be placed in the public domain.
For further details, please contact
Jeevika Shiv (9899572770, [email protected]) or Ankita Aggarwal
(9818603009, [email protected])
Details for donations
For Indian citizens
(Please mention the purpose of the donation while making the contribution and e mail your PAN card number and postal address at [email protected])
Name of A/c: Aman Biradari Trust
Bank Name: IDBI Bank Limited
Branch: 1/6, Siri Fort Institution Area, Khel Gaon Marg, New Delhi 110049, India
A/c No: 010104000156950, IFSC Code: IBKL0000010, BSR Code: 110259002
For foreign citizens
(Please mention the purpose of the donation while making the
contribution and e mail a scanned copy of your passport and postal
address to [email protected])
Name of Organization: Centre for Equity Studies
A/c Number: 4114000100539095, Swift Code: PUNBINBBISB, IFS Code: PUNB0411400
Name of Bank: Punjab National Bank
Branch Address: Plot No.7, C-1, Nelson Mandella Road, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi 110070
Cheques can be mailed at:
Office of the Commissioners for Supreme Court
B 68, 2nd floor, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi 110017, India
For any financial queries, please contact Sunil Snehi (9811190160,
[email protected])
All donations exempted u/s 80G of the I. T. Act, 1961 vide Letter No. DIT(E)/2011-12/C-693/3069 Dated 17 Oct 20122 issued by the Directorate of Income Tax Act (Exemption), Delhi for the period 1 April 2011 onwards