New Delhi, July 25:  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Assam government and neighbouring States to ensure maintenance of law and order in the run up to and post-publication of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had in a statement earlier assured that every individual will get justice and will be treated in a humane manner.
“All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for the remedies available under the law. The government wants to make it clear that after the draft NRC publication on July 30, adequate opportunity for claims and objections will be available. All claims and objections will be duly examined,†he said.
The MHA told the Assam government that no action should be initiated by the Administration or police based on the Draft NRC.
“There is no question of referring the persons whose names do not figure in the draft NRC to the Foreigners’ Tribunal as people are entitled to file claims and objections and due opportunity has to be given to them before final publication. The question of referring any person to a detention centre based on NRC exercise also does not arise. State Government has been asked to issue clear instructions in this regard to all Administrative and Police functionaries.
The Assam government has been also advised to set up a State-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to ensure coordination among state agencies, NRC authorities and Central agencies. Round-the-clock Control Rooms at the State capital and district headquarters are to be activated to receive complaints and coordinate prompt response.
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has been also asked to use all means of communication including websites, toll-free numbers, SMS among others, to provide information to the public about the draft NRC.
An intensive public awareness campaign has been launched to disseminate information regarding the NRC process, options available for individuals whose names do not figure in the draft NRC, the procedure and timeline for filing claims and objections, so as to address the concerns of people left out of the draft list.
In Meghalaya, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) warned that danger is awaiting the state after the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) is published in Assam.
The KSU urged the people and Dorbar Shnongs to be on high alert against the possible migration of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring state.
According to 2011 census, the KSU said that Assam has a total population of 3.29 crore.
However in the first list of NRC published, the KSU said that only 1.9 crore are genuine citizens of Assam, and the remaining 1.39 crore population in Assam have to prove themselves whether they are the genuine citizens of Assam.
The KSU also said that out of 1.9 crore names published in the first list of NRC, 1.15 lakh have been deleted meaning that it is sure that 1.15 lakh will not qualify for citizenship to stay in Assam.
The KSU said that ILP states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are protected, but there is a fear that Meghalaya would face the worst situation if no measures are taken.
The KSU also asked the Meghalaya government to complete the setting up of entry and exit points in various part of the state and bring out more stringent laws to curb influx problem.
