Awareness drive launched in Birbhum asking people not to link

The Birbhum district administration has launched a campaign to make people aware that no NRC process has been undertaken, after digital workers faced the ire of villagers following suspicion that they were collecting data for the proposed nationwide exercise.

The campaign is being carried out by panchayat representatives through public address system and door-to-door visits, officials said.

A crowd had on Thursday gathered at the houses of two digital workers at Amba in Marugram area to attack them when police came and prevented them from doing so.

The incident took place a day after the house of 20- year-old Chumki Khatun was set ablaze by a mob at Gourbazar village.

The women, whose houses were targeted on Thursday, were engaged in 'Internet Saathi' a digital literacy programme.

The programme aims to train 'Saathis' (friends) who can help other women from their village in the use of the internet.

Meanwhile, four persons were arrested in connection with the Gourbazar incident on Thursday, police said.

Chumki Khatun had been working for an NGO on contract. In partnership with an online firm, the NGO was training rural women to use smartphones effectively and the woman collected general data, as part of the training.

However, police denied that the Gourbazar incident was linked to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Despite repeated assertions by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that any move to bring NRC will not be allowed in West Bengal, apprehensions exist among sections of people in the state about it.