Indigenous Muslim Committee Pleads for Inclusion of their names in NRC

Indigenous Muslim Committee Pleads for Inclusion of their names in NRC

NRC draft

Special Correspondent

Silchar: ‘Indigenous Category of Inhabitants’, a conglomerate of 8 organizations, has expressed its deep resentment at the non-inclusion of many genuine Indian citizens of Barak Valley in the draft NRC list published on July 30 and urged upon the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar to consider their grievances and include them in the ensuing list to be published on December 31, 2018.

The memorandum submitted to the DC on Monday draws his attention to the Clause 3 (3) of Citizenship Rules 2013 which reads, ‘the names of the persons who are originally inhabited in Assam and their children and descendents who are citizens of India shall be included if their citizenship is ascertained beyond any doubt’.

According to the submission, it has been pointed out that in cases of tea garden workers of Brahmaputra Valley and some other parts of Assam, the provision of Clause 3 (3) of the Citizenship Rules 2013 have been selectively invoked to include them in the list of NRC.

But unfortunately, in the case of the indigenous inhabitants of Barak Valley, the same mandated provision of Citizenship Act has been denied. This has led to untellable anguish, mental agony and a sense of panic among them. The memorandum also lists innumerable instances of anomalies. Either only the parents are included leaving out their children or children and grand children are included leaving out their parents and grandparents.

Family tree verifications, it is further stated, have approved their eligibility for a favourable decision which calls for closer scrutiny to relieve the affected persons from anxiety and uncertainty. The ‘Indigenous Category of Inhabitants’ refers to the office instructions from the State Coordinator particularly with regard to list B documents issued on May 1, 2018 which are very stringent. These instructions are in respect of birth certificates, ration cards and panchayat documents among others. Poor indigenous inhabitants of rural areas are not in a position to produce birth certificates as there is no facility for delivery of children. In most cases, birth certificates have been issued by unrecognized private schools.

Quite disturbing, de-recognition of ration cards as authentic documents may cause an infirmity for poor and helpless indigenous people in the matter of proof of linkage to legacy. Further, a series of instructions, very often changing, created confusion in the minds of the applicants. Such changes in documents are bound to be prejudicial and discriminatory to many claimants hurting their genuine claims. ‘Indigenous Category of Inhabitants’ says such instances are only a few illustrative cases to drive home the need to have a humanitarian approach. The main purpose of NRC operation is to identify illegal migrants and not to leave out even a genuine Indian citizen.

The organization of indigenous people says that in the NRC update process, specific instructions for preferential treatment to persons originally inhabiting the state of Assam and their descendents, citizens of India. The indigenous people of Barak Valley are also entitled to be included in the draft list. It is regretted that the appeal of the social body has not been considered in this respect. At this critical juncture, the indigenous people’s organizations have brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner many cases of indigenous community members being not included NRC list.

In the circumstances, they have urged upon him to exercise his discretion and initiate necessary action so that all genuine citizens of the country are included in the final list to be published on December 31, 2018. The memorandum was signed by Misbahul Islam Laskar, former minister, Assam, Lutfur Rahman Laskar, IAS (Retired), Anwar Uddin Barlaskar, former District Judge, among others.

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com