Assam tense ahead of first draft NRC publication
Guwahati, Dec 30 (IBNS) : Assam government has stepped up security measures in the state to prevent any untoward situation following the publication of the first draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The draft, which aims to check the presence of illegal foreigners in the state, is expected to be published late on Dec 31, according to reports.
Over 66,000 security personnel have been deployed across the state ahead of draft NRC publication.
Assam Police ADGP (Law and order) Mukesh Agarwala said that 80 additional companies of Central paramilitary forces have been developed across the state.
"We have already alerted all district police to prevent any situation and to take stern action against the persons who may try to create any untoward situation," Agarwala said.
Assam police has already identified hyper sensitive and sensitive areas and deployed adequate security at these areas.
Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay said that, if required, army may also be called in.
"We are trying to create a peaceful atmosphere and appeal to all sections of people to maintain peace," Mukesh Sahay said.
Following the Supreme Court's directions, the Registrar General of India will publish the first draft NRC on December 31 midnight, which will cover 2.38 crore people to distinguish Indian citizens living in Assam from those who illegally entered in the north eastern Indian state from Bangladesh after March 24, 1971.
Around 3.28 people of the state had submitted their applications to enter their names in the NRC.
The state coordinator of NRC, Prateek Hajela, said that around 68 lakh applications of 3.28 crore people and over 6 crore documents were submitted to the NRC.
"The entire process is ongoing under the Supreme Court's supervision and all legal Indian citizens name will be included in the NRC," Hajela said.
Hajela further said that only a part draft NRC will be published on December 31 and if somebody’s name does not figure on it, they need not worry.
“After publishing the part draft NRC, another draft NRC will be published and people can file their claims and objections, whose names are not includes in the draft NRC. They will get time to file claims and objections. Every Indian citizen's name to be included in the NRC,” Hajela said.
Recently, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba had reviewed the NRC updation process and security measures in Guwahati.
The last NRC update in Assam took place in 1951, and it recorded 80 lakh legal Indian citizens in the state.
The latest NRC updation process was started in the state in 2015.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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