NRC: Social media vigil at all time high in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 30: There are steps in place to prevent mischief mongers from spreading false propaganda in a bid to foment trouble in Assam ahead of the publication of the final NRC on August 31.

The Union Home Ministry is an advisory has said that people should not believe in rumours. The MHA has once again clarified that if a person's name is not in the NRC, it does not mean he would be declared a foreigner. Each one left out of the final NRC can appeal before the Foreigners Tribunals and many are being established, the ministry also clarified.

Senior police officer, Harmeet Singh, who heads the social media centre of the Assam police said that they are alert to the fact that mischievous elements may try and spread rumours through the social media. We are keeping a close watch on them. Such persons will be dealt under the law, he also said.

Several teams are in place to monitor social media. The officials have been asked to keep a close watch on the posts and also thoroughly investigate them.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, security has been tightened across Assam and prohibitory orders under 144 Cr PC have been clamped in vulnerable areas of the state, including in the capital city.

The 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, officials said.

This has been done 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 agitations, they said.

In Guwahati the prohibitory order was clamped in Dispur, where the secretariat and Assembly complexes are located, besides at Bhangagarh, Basistha, Hatigaon, Sonapur and Khetri police station areas, the police said.

Section 144 Cr PC prohibits assembly of more than five persons, agitation, demonstration, procession inciting communal violence, carrying of arms, ammunition, explosive substances or weapon of any nature in any public placers or vehicles as well as use of loud speakers.

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. "Safety of citizens is our top priority," the Assam police tweeted. 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.

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.

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.

Appealing to the people to maintain peace, he said, "A government is there in Assam to look after people's interest. All are living here with unity and honour ... We are confident that all sections of society will come forward to maintain peace and tranquility for all times to come."

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.

In the complete draft of the NRC, which was published in July last year, names of 40,07,707 people were excluded. It had which contained names of 2,89,83,677 eligible persons out of a total 3,29,91,384 applicants. Names of additional 1,02,462 persons were included in the list of excluded persons in June this year taking the total ineligible persons to 41,10,169 in the complete draft.