With tightened security, assuring safety of people; Assam all set to release final NRC on August 31
Guwahati, August 30: As the long-awaited day of releasing the final NRC draft comes near, the Assam government has taken all necessary measures to ensure smooth functioning of the system. Security measures have been tightened across Assam on Thursday ahead of the publication of the final NRC, which is touted as the proof of Assamese identity. The final NRC list, which will identify the bonafide citizens of the state, is scheduled to be declared on August 31.
Various steps have been taken by the district administration to maintain peace and public order ahead of after the publication of the contentious list and will remain in force till further notice. The security has been tightened as some specified and unspecified persons, groups, organisations or associations are likely to disturb normal functioning of offices, movement of public and traffic flow in the vulnerable areas, besides holding demonstrations and agitation.
The state police on Thursday appealed to the people not to believe in rumours as some elements are trying to create confusion. The government has ensured adequate safeguards for people, whose name may not appear in the final NRC, it said. The Assam Police tweeted. “Safety of citizens is our top priority.” The force also issued a five-point advisory stating that persons whose names are not in the NRC will not be declared as foreigners and can appeal to the Foreigners Tribunals.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had on August 23 reviewed the law and order situation of the state with the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police where he had directed them to maintain close relations with the influential persons and opinion makers to ensure that there is no misunderstanding among the people about the NRC process.
The time limit for doing so has been increased form 60 days to 120 days and the government will provide legal aid through the district legal service authority to the needy who are excluded from the NRC. Besides, the number of Foreigners Tribunals have been increased and are being set up at convenient locations.
Those who want to check their status, can do so online by typing their Application Receipt Numbers on the NRC website - www.nrcassam.nic.in. They need to look for the link under the title 'Supplementary List of Inclusions/Exclusions Status', which will be activated from tomorrow.
In case applicants have misplaced or lost their Application Receipt Number, which was issued against their online application form, they can call on the toll-free helpline number: 15107 (within Assam) or 18003453762 (for outside Assam).They need to provide either the name of the head of the family or the registered phone number during the time of submission of the online application form.
Assam, which had faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th Century, is the only state in the country to have the updation of the NRC after 1951. The exercise this time is being carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court.