National Register of Citizens (NRC): Centre sent 22,000 Paramilitary Soldiers to Assam

The centre has sent over 22,000 central paramilitary soldiers in order to strengthen the security in Assam and adjoining states in view of the publication of National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Union Home Ministry has directed the Assam Government that not to take any action on the basis of draft National Register of Citizens that is to be published on July 30.

The persons whose names do not figure in the draft NRC, there is no question of referring those persons as the Foreigners' Tribunal as the people have authority to file claims and objection and due to opportunity has given to them before final publication. No person should not send to detention centre based on NRC exercise. The Assam government should not take any action against those whose names do not figure in the list of the state's citizens as Home Ministry said.

The Union Home Ministry advised these units to check immediately in the vulnerable areas of the state. A total of 220 companies of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) are being sent to the state in view of the NRC. The largest contingent among the forces is from the CRPF (53 companies) followed by Sashastra Seema Bal (41), BSF (40), ITBP (27), CISF (20) and Railway Protection Force (5). A total of 34 companies of the special auxiliary police are also being sent as the officials said. About 105 CAPF companies are being rotated and utilized for law and order duties from within the state. One company of paramilitary comprises 100 personnel.

Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister of State for Home Affairs) informed on Parliament that 52 Bangladeshis currently in the detention centres in Assam and this people will be deported on July 30 from the Mankachar check-post. In the past two years, 39 Bangladesh nationals were deported from Assam. The total number deported in 2013 was 5,234 and 989 in 2014; 474 in 2015 and 308 in 2016. The deported personnel are no more concern with the NRC. They are already declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals and their nationality verification has been done by Bangladesh, which issued transit documents for them.

The governments of Assam and neighbouring states are being instructed to maintain law and order and to ensure peace. Assam has been directed to form a State-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. This committee will coordinate among state agencies. The control rooms at the State capital and district headquarters are instructed to be active to receive complaints. A public awareness campaign has been launched to disseminate information regarding the NRC process.

The first draft NRC was published on December 31 last year that contains the names of 1.9 core out of 3.29 crore applicants. The second and final draft is decided to published on July 30.