NRC Is A Document of Failure: Upamanyu Hazarika

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Convenor of the Prabajan Virodhi Manch Upamanyu Hazarika thoroughly criticizing the final draft stated that the final NRC, with 19 lakh excluded from the draft is a certification of the failure of the forty-year-old Assam Movement and is an insult to the sacrifice made by 855 martyrs. He alleged that the leaders have broken the trust of the indigenous people and are now busy disowning their responsibility.

“Chief Minister Sonowal who only in the last year claimed that the draft NRC is a protective shield for indigenous identity, has now changed his tune, pushing the responsibility for the failure of NRC to identify foreigners upon the Supreme Court and the NRC officials,” said Hazarika.

Hazarika further alleged that by inclusion of a large number of foreigners, the NRC has struck a blow upon the self-confidence and determination of the indigenous people. He said, “If the Assam Movement leaders, presently a part of the Government, had not accepted 1971 as the cut-off year for grant of citizenship, then Assam would have been better off having a cut-off similar with the rest of India that is July 19, 1948.”

Urging that certain immediate measures to be taken by the common man is the need of the hour, Hazarika said, “Discrepancies in the NRC along with supporting documentation should be gathered and we will undertake the task of compiling this data. In this connection, we will discuss with Assam Public Works and other interested organizations and outline a concrete plan of action shortly.”

Moreover, the Mancha has also forwarded aid of Rs 1 lakh towards petitioner Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, over the issue of validity of cut-off date. “All their lawyers are working for free in this case and it is our duty to help and support the Mahasangha to effectively fight the case,” said Hazarika.

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