A number of Alipurduar families with relatives in Assam who failed to make it to the NRC have started contacting Trinamul leaders for assistance.

“Trinamul’s strong stand against NRC and the party’s protests in view of the exclusion of 19 lakh people gives us hope that they will stand by us,” said Subal Das, a resident of Kumargram, the farthest block from Calcutta in Bengal that shares borders with Assam.

The response is seen as a boost for the ruling Trinamul afer it suffered setbacks in the area in the Lok Sabha polls this year.

“Around 22 years ago, my sister Binata got married at Tilapara close to Kokrajhar. I had sent the papers of our ancestral land, which was bought in 1966 and 1971. She had furnished those at the NRC centre. But we came to know her name is not there in the final list. We do not have any more documents to prove her citizenship. That is why I have decided to approach the Trinamul leaders here,” said Das.

On Sunday, Trinamul leaders had held a rally over NRC at Barobisha — close to the inter-state border — and said they had engaged lawyers who are party members to help these families as well as their relatives in Assam. “We will extend all possible help, including legal assistance to anybody whose name is not there in NRC,” said Mridul Goswami, the Alipurduar chief of Trinamul.

As the BJP has threatened to carry out an NRC in Bengal if voted to power in the

state, Trinamul leaders said their latest initiative would help them “sensitise” people about the “dangers” of voting for the BJP.

“Many don’t know how to approach the foreigners’ tribunals… Also, some are asking old family documents will help relatives in Assam. Our legal cell is there to guide them,” said a Trinamul leader in Kumargram.

Bharat Burman, another resident of Kumargram, is worried about his sister. “My sister has been in Assam for many years. She had submitted all documents but her name is not there in NRC. We have spoken to advocates in Trinamul’s legal cell and sought their opinion,” said Burman, a trader.

According to Trinamul leaders, the BJP can harp on NRC in Bengal but people in Alipurduar, particularly those near the border, have realised how such an exercise can affect their lives. “The BJP might have won the seat but the political situation has started changing over the NRC issue. People are feeling helpless as many of their relatives have not made it to the list. Trinamul is the only party standing by them,” said a Trinamul leader.