(fixing name in lead)

Guwahati, Sep 4 (UNI) The Communist Party of India's (CPI) Assam unit today reiterated its demand for immediate compilation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam rptng Assam to thwart the growing influx of Bangladeshi militants into the country.

Addressing a press meet here a day after two-day state executive meeting of the party, CPI national executive member and state legislator Pramode Gogoi said, ''Militants from Bangladesh are sneaking into the country through Assam as is evident from investigations in the recent Hyderabad blasts.

''Assam is becoming a transit point for militants and if this has to be stopped, the NRC has to be upgraded and identity cards issued to all citizens for identification of foreigners,'' he added.

Mr Gogoi demanded that the Centre should announce a time-frame for completion of the NRC within a month.

Pointing out that the Prime Minister had himself said the NRC would be ready by September 2007 during a tripartite talk in 2005, the CPI leader said, ''When an assurance at the prime ministerial level fails to yield results, it proves that the Centre is not serious about updating the NRC.'' Highlighting the ''abnormal growth in population in the state over the past few years,'' Mr Gogoi said the infiltration was not only posing a risk to the internal security of the country but also adversely affecting the state.

Quoting the Delimitation Commission's remarks, he said, ''The commission had clearly stated that the legality of the 2001 Census has to be decided before delimitation is carried out. It is a victory for the people of the state but they have to be vigilant so that follow-up action is pursued.'' The delimitation process was halted in the four NE states of Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur following court cases.

On the law and order situation in the state, Mr Gogoi alleged that the state government had failed to protect the people.

He said,''the Centre should intervene under Article 355 of the Constitution and take corrective measures to check further deterioration.'' The executive committee of the party also expressed concern over the rocketing prices of essential commodities and the state government's ''inaction'', he added.

The Left leader informed that the party would organise mass demonstrations and meetings to spread awareness about these issues.

UNI