Security tightened as Assam releases first partial draft of NRC

NewsBharati    01-Jan-2018
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Guwahati, Jan 1: Security in Assam was put on alert as the government released the first partial draft of the much sought after National Register of Citizens (NRC) at midnight. The partial draft contained the names of 1.9 crore out of the total 3.29 crore applicants. 

 Publication of NRC is considered as the first step to safeguard the Assamese identity.

The first partial draft of the NRC published on the midnight of the first day of the New Year contained the verified names of 1.9 crore out of the 3.29 applicants. The remaining names are in the process of publication and there should be no cause of worry for them, sources said.

The Registrar General of India (RGI) Shailesh, addressing a press conference at the NRC State Coordinator’s office here said that the remaining names are at various levels of verification and will be published soon. He also stated that the details of the part draft NRC would be intimated to the apex Court.

Speaking to the media persons, State NRC Co-ordinator Prateek Hajela expressed his gratitude to the people at large for the cooperation and support in carrying out this historic process. Hajela further assured that there is no need for the people to panic. He also added that the names of others are under various stages of verification.

Probably for the first time in Assam’s history, the New Year’s celebrations were overshadowed by an issue very close to the heart of every Assamese people. The issue is safeguarding their identity, culture, land and resources.

Bringing the curtain down amidst New Year’s revelry the NRC authorities published the much-awaited publication of the draft of updated NRC. Publication of the partial draft NRC on the expiry of December 31 midnight is a step forward towards making a document containing names of genuine Indian citizens under the supervision of Supreme Court with an aim to detect illegal Bangladeshi migrants staying in Assam over the years.

Publication of the partial draft NRC has come more than 12 years after the then UPA Government at the Centre decided to update the NRC of 1951. The Supreme Court last month asked the NRC authorities to publish the partial draft NRC covering 2.38 crore applicants.

State NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela said there is simply no reason for anyone to worry if his or her name is not included in the first part draft of NRC as everyone will get an opportunity to file their claims and objections. The process will be notified at a later date after the second and final NRC draft is published, he explained. 

Hajela said the second and final draft of NRC will be published at a later date to be determined by the Supreme Court. And those whose names have not featured in the first part draft also need not worry as they will get opportunity to file their claims and objections, whose dates will be announced once the second and final draft NRC is published.

According to The Sentinel 95 per cent out of the total number NRC applications in Sivasagar district were covered under the part draft NRC followed by 75 per cent in Kamrup Metro, 70 plus per cent in Kamrup, 50 per cent in Morigaon, 40 per cent in Darrang and about 39 per cent in Barpeta. There were 10 lakhs NRC applicants in Kamrup metro, 16 lakhs in Kamrup, 6.28 lakh in Sivasagar and 10 lakh plus in Darrang.

Hard copies of NRC are available in NRC Seva Kendras (NSKs), besides online at www.nrcassam.nic.in, www.assam.mygov.in, www.assamgov.in and www.homeandpolitical.assam.gov.in.

Meanwhile, both the Centre and State government have mobilized their entire administrative mechanism to ensure a fool proof security in the State. A total 85 companies of Central armed police forces (CAPF) are already there in the State, to augment the security apparatus.

Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said that adequate forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. He warned that any person or organisation indulging in mischief like inciting others to create troubles will be taken to task.

There are approximately 2,500 NSKs across the State, and 800 of these have been identified as sensitive by the government. Security forces have mounted a special vigil on such NSKs. Printed copies of the draft NRC will be available with NSKs from 8 am on Monday. The draft NRC will not have photos of applicants. Photos will be printed in the final NRC. The demand for the NRC was raised during the 1979 Assam agitation agains the illegal presence of Bangladeshi citizens who had alleged sneaked into the state over the period of time since independence.