In a move that could trigger a huge controversy, the draft National Register of Citizens in Assam has left out more than 40 lakh of 3.39 crore applicants. The draft NRC, released on Monday by the Registrar General of India, Shailesh, and NRC State Coordinator Prateek Hajela in Guwahati, said that 3,29,91,384 people had applied for the NRC, while applications of 2,89,83,677 were accepted.
He said that those whose names have not appeared in the list will be given one more opportunity to raise their objections till 28 September until an ‘error-free’ draft is prepared on an unspecified date.
“Every person whose name was in the first draft but is missing from final draft will be given an individual letter to file claim for her/his non-inclusion during claims and objections,” he said.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “People whose names don’t appear on the final list, they need not worry. They will have opportunity for making claims and objections. They won’t be treated as foreigners.”
The Supreme Court had earlier in the month extended the deadline for the publication of the draft by one month to July 30 as the earlier deadline of June 30 could not be met in the wake of the flood situation in the state.
According to the tripartite accords signed in 1985 between All Assam Students’ Union, and Assam and central governments, those who registered themselves as Indian citizens in the state on or before August 24, 1971, will be considered the Indian nationals.
Muslim groups have raised concerns alleging that the move by the BJP government in the state and at the Centre was to harass Muslim population of the state to get them out of India in a bid to change the demography of the state.
Live Updates:
- Congress demands all-party meeting
- Taking a jibe at West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the state BJP chief said, “Those who are inviting illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country should not talk much about integrity and security of the country.” (Indian Express)
- “The NRC in Assam is being implemented following the orders of the court (Supreme Court). It was Congress which had proposed the idea of NRC. Now they are speaking against it,” said Ghosh.
- “If we (BJP) are voted to power in Bengal then we too will implement NRC in Bengal. We will send back illegal citizens to Bangladesh. Tough days are ahead, we will not tolerate any illegal immigrants in Bengal,” said West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh. (Indian Express)
- “While people have welcomed the draft NRC, certain sections are trying to destabilise and spread lies. People of Assam have always lived with peace and harmony. We will not allow anyone to disturb peace and law and order,” the CM tweeted.
- “Interacted with the media in Guwahati. People and Media have given huge support to the NRC process that’s going on in the State under the supervision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. I thank them for their role in maintaining peace and tranquillity,” CM Sonowal tweeted.
- Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Assam is a very peaceful state and we are confident that all sections of the society will come forward to maintain peace and tranquillity in the time to come. We will always abide by the direction of the Supreme Court.” (Indian Express)
- No coercive action against those not named on list, says MHA
- “In the post NRC draft publication scenario we appeal all to maintain peace & tranquillity. Assam PCC has opened help centres in all GP level to help & guide the genuine Indian citizen whose names are dropped from the final draft to file claims & objection forms,” tweeted Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora.
- “A delegation of TMC MPs will visit Assam along with party head Mamata Banerjee,” Derek O’ Brien said.
- Continuing his attack on the government, TMC MP Derek O’ Brien said, “This government is not keen on running Parliament till August 10. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was not consulted while preparing the NRC final draft. We have sought an appointment with Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard.”
- Upper House adjourned for today
- “The process for making claims and objections will begin on August 30 and continue till September 28. Adequate and ample scope will be given to people for making objections. No genuine Indian citizen should have any fear,” said NRC state Coordinator Prateek Hajela.
- “Where will the 40 lakh people whose names have been deleted go? Does Centre have any rehabilitation program for them? Ultimately it is Bengal which will suffer. Its just vote politics by BJP. Request Home Minister to bring an amendment,” West Bengal CM added.
- “People are being isolated through a game plan. We are worried because people are being made refugees in their own country. Its a plan to throw out Bengali speaking people and Biharis. Consequences will be felt in our state also,” said Mamata Banerjee.
- Bengalis living in Assam being targeted, says Mamata Banerjee.
- “Government running away from discussion in RajyaSabha They are being cussed and want disruption. Opposition voice being muzzled. NRC is inhuman. Hurting Indian citizens,” TMC MP Derek O’ Brien said.
- “I want to ask the Opposition, what is the Centre’s role in this? It is happening under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Such sensitive issues should not be politicised.” said Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha.
- Trinamool give Notice and raise the issue of inhuman NRC Assam in Rajya Sabha. Other Opposition parties join. Immediately set right this inhuman decision. And statement from PM. In Lok Sabha also Trinamool give adjournment motion. Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon.
- “Central government has intentionally eliminated more than 40 lakh religious and linguistic minorities from NRC (National Register of Citizens) that will have serious ramifications on the demography of different states adjoining Assam. PM Narendra Modi should come to the House and clarify the issue,” ANI quoted TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy as saying.
- “Why are such claims being attested to an exercise ordered by the Supreme Court. The SC is monitoring the entire process. Government is only doing its job.” : Kiren Rijiju
- The nrcassam.nic.in is down. However, there other means to check the names. 1) by going to a NRC Seva Kendra (NSK) 2) Through SMS: To type ARN space ARN number and send it to 9765556555.
- “My humble appeal to all media channels today is be sensitive regarding the draft list of NRC in Assam. People have responded positively and been very cooperative. The previous Congress Govt initiated a historic exercise. My thanks to all Govt employees who have worked so hard,” Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi appealed on Twitter.
- TMC MP Sougata Roy has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over the Assam’s National Register of Citizens final draft that was released today.
- 40 lakh names ineligible is a very high figure and very surprising. There are lot of irregularities in the report. We will raise this issue with the Govt and in the Parliament. Political motive of BJP is also behind this: Ripun Bora,Assam Congress Chief to ANI.
- Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12:00 noon after uproar by TMC MPs over the National Register of Citizens
- Government has dispatched 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and police are on alert to mitigate any untoward incident.
- “Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear. This is a completely impartial report. No misinformation should be spread.This is a draft and not the final list,” ANI quoted Singh as saying.
