Delimitation should be based on NRC: AASU

Guwahati, May 5 (UNI) The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) today demanded that the delimitation of constituencies in Asom be done after the compilation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Addressing a news conference here, AASU advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said, '' The very basis of the delimitation process is faulty. It is based on the present population pattern in the state and ignores the fact that lakhs of Bangladeshis are also settled here illegally.'' He demanded that the NRC should be compiled before the delimitation exercise could be carried out in a meaningful manner in the state.

'' Without the NRC, the illegal settlers will form a part of the country. It is not long before a Bangladeshi will be the Chief Minister of the state,''he added.

Dr Bhattacharyya came down heavily on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for 'failing' to press for compilation of NRC before delimitation even though the Congress was in power at the Centre.

He said, '' Mr Gogoi has failed to address the issue of NRC compilation before delimitation, which will have an adverse impact on the state.'' The AASU leader reiterated that the students' body would launch agitation if the government pressed ahead with the delimitation of the constituencies, without the compilation of the NRC.

'' We had on earlier occasions met the officials at New Delhi with our demands. We will undertake massive agitation if the delimitation exercise is not routed the correct way,'' he added.

UNI