Kolkata: Tension cropped up at Kaliachak in Malda after rumour spread that if any person did not rectify information on their ration cards, they would be kept out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
According to sources, Block Development Officers (BDOs) in Kaliachak had recently received an order to rectify the mistakes in the digital ration cards. After the rectification work started, someone spread a rumour that the step was being taken regarding implementation of NRC and if any person fails to rectify the incorrect details of their ration cards, then they would be kept out of the NRC and will be treated as foreigners.
As soon as the rumour started spreading, several people started gathering at the BDO offices in Kaliachak with their ration cards. Soon, the situation turned worse as people got panic stricken.
Employees and officials at BDO offices had a trying time managing the crowd. Police were also informed to maintain the law and order situation.
Later, the BDOs decided to announce that the step was meant for rectification of ration card details and that it had no connection with implementation of NRC, to clear out the confusion.
As per the decision, employees of BDO offices as well as police started addressing the people to inform that they should not listen to any rumours. Later, Panchayats in Kaliachak were also requested to inform people about the rumour and make them aware of the misunderstanding.