Assam’s NRC: 40 lakh left out of final draft, no punitive action, officials assure

Guwahati, July 30: The second and final draft of Assam's National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been published. Two crore eighty nine lakh, eighty three thousand six hundred and seventy seven people have been found eligible to be included in the National Register of Citizens. There were a total of 3.29 crore applicants. This would mean that 40,07,707 have been left out of the NRC draft.

The NRC was released online in all the NRC Sewa Kendras (NSK) across the state. The draft was released by NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela. Registrar General Sailesh and Satyendra Garg Joint Secretary (North East) present were also present.

The government made it clear that it is only a draft NRC. It is not a final NRC and it must be re-emphasised because there would be a process of claims and objections which would begin from August 7. Adequate opportunity would be given to all those who want to file claims and objections, the government also said.

No genuine Indian citizen should panic or worry. We will also see that persons who lack knowledge, they will get assistance. Full justice will be meted to all, the government further assured.

Joint Secretary, North-East Satyendra Garg said those left out will not be branded as foreigner. No punitive action is going to be taken against them. They will have another chance at representation. From August 7 onwards, they will be able to know the reason for non-inclusion, by visiting the NSK.

People who haven't featured in the final draft will be given individual letters to make claims. They will be given three forms for Claims, Objections and Corrections to reinstate their citizenship claim, he also said.

2.48 lakh D-voters are among the 40 lakh people who have not qualified to the final draft of NRC (National Register of Citizenship). These include the descendants of D-voters, people whose reference are pending in Foreigners' Tribunal, descendants of those who have pending cases in Foreigners' Tribunal.

The NRC features the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens, who have been residing in the north eastern state before March 25, 1971.

Security has been beefed up across the state to prevent any law and order situation following the publication of the draft, with deputy commissioners and SPs being directed to maintain a strict vigil, a senior police official said here.

Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in seven districts - Barpeta, Darrang, Dima Hasao, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Golaghat and Dhubri.

Vulnerable areas have been identified by the SPs in their respective districts and the situation is being monitored closely to prevent any untoward incident, particularly those arising due to rumour-mongering, the official said.

The Centre has despatched 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces to gear up security in Assam and neighbouring states.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had held a high-level meeting recently on the NRC draft release and directed the officers to remain alert and help and explain the process of claims and objections to people whose names do not appear in the draft.

Sonowal had also directed the officials not to refer any case to the Foreigners' Tribunal based on the NRC draft list.

Hajela thanked the people for extending their help and co-operation along with all the officers and employees involved in updating the NRC for their hard work and dedication.

He too pointed out that there would be enough scope for claims by people whose names do not appear in the draft, adding "genuine citizens should not panic if their names fail to figure in the document".

If a person's name does not appear in the draft, they have to apply in prescribed forms in their respective NSKs. These forms will be available from August 7 to September 28 and the authorities will then inform them the reason for their names being left out.

The next step will be to file the claim in another prescribed form which will be available from August 30 to September 28 and these claims will be finally disposed of after proper hearings.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has taken a special initiative to set up a 24-hour control room at its central office here to help people.

The applicants can also call 24x7 toll free numbers - 15107 from Assam and 18003453762 from outside Assam - by referring to their 21-digit Application Receipt Number (ARN).

The applicants can also check their names by visiting the NRC website and through SMSs.

The NRC is being updated under the Supreme Court supervision with March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for genuine Indian citizens in Assam.

The first draft of the ongoing NRC process was released at the midnight of December 31, 2017. It comprised 1.9 crore names out of the total application of 3.29 crore people in Assam.

Assam's NRC draft released: 2.89 crore out of 3.29 eligible for Indian citizenship