Tension and anxiety mount over NRC

Silchar, Dec 30: As the ‘D’ day and time approaches fast, tension and anxiety mounts over NRC first draft roll. Verification for the first draft is complete, according to reports trickling in from the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. While no specific information is available about the number of persons appearing in the first draft roll in Cachar, the Deputy Commissioners of Hailakandi and Karimganj have indicated approximate number of eligible applicants finding their mes in the draft roll.

 In the first draft roll in Hailakandi, as revealed by the Deputy Commissioner and District Registrar of Citizen Registration (DRCR), Krishgopal Bhuiyan, 2.18 lakh mes will figure in it. Of the total number of 7.20 lakh applicants, discrepancies have been discovered in the documents of 1.38 lakh. Out of these, 98,700 have submitted panchayat documents which call for strict scrutiny and careful examition. Those with valid documents are being verified and will get their mes in the second draft, added the Deputy Commissioner. He ruled out any possibility of law and order problem as adequate security measures have been beefed up around all the 57 seva kendras.

 At a public meeting followed by press-meet with the media-persons of Silchar here, S Lakshman, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and DRCR, too dismissed any apprehension over untoward incident in the wake of the publication of draft roll in view of the total cooperation from public in the update process. According to him, of the 18.23 lakh applicants, one third will figure in the first draft. 160 seva kendras spread over the district have been brought under security surveillance, he pointed out. On the question of deployment of 8 companies of paramilitary forces and 2 companies of Assam Police, senior citizens took umbrage at it, asking the district administration and the police about its justification.

 Pradip Kumar Talukdar, ACS, Deputy Commissioner and DRCR of Karimganj, said of the 13 lakh applicants, 6 lakh have been verified. But, mes of more than 5 lakh will figure in the first draft roll. Verification of the documents of the applicants are at different stages of scrutiny. He admitted discrepancies and anomalies have been detected in passports and birth certificates. In respect of panchayat documents, the cases will be verified during the second phase for the fil draft. Besides, discrepancies have also come to light in regard to the statements made in family tree. 60% of the family tree statements have to be further verified.

 According to a prelimiry estimate, around 5% of the total applicants might not find place in the fil list. Karimganj being a border district with Bangladesh and listed as one of the seven most sensitive districts, all the 58 seva kendras have been covered by sufficient security forces. He vehemently denied any political interference as the entire NRC process is being monitored by the Supreme Court of India and the guidelines issued by it are followed in letter and spirit.

 Kamalakshya Dey Purkayastha, MLA Karimganj, made a significant statement on NRC while talking to The Sentinel at Badarpur railway town. He said foreigners’ issue has been hanging fire for years and it is his expectation with the publication of the NRC draft roll byJuly 31, 2018, a clear picture on the issue will come out. Foreigners can be identified and action taken as per the law of the land. He admitted the work on NRC has been going on in a fair manner and people expect the fil draft roll will include all genuine Indian citizens.