Union Home Ministry assures all Help to Complete NRC draft Publication to Assam Government

NRC UPDATING PROCESS

A CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, July 22: In the run-up to the complete draft publication of NRC (National Register of Citizens) on July 30, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the Assam government to ensure that law and order is maintained and all possible arrangements are made to ensure safety and security for all. Noting that there is no reason for panic or fear, Rajnath Singh said: “No person will be allowed to be harassed. The Central Government will provide all necessary help to the Government of Assam in this regard.”

Chairing a meeting on NRC with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at his official residence in Delhi on Sunday, Singh said it was “only a draft” and people would be given “adequate opportunity for objections.”

The Union Minister further said that the NRC is being updated in accordance with the Assam Accord signed on August 15, 1985, and that the entire process is as per the directions of Supreme Court, which is constantly monitoring the process.

The NRC is being prepared to identify illegal migrants in Assam. The Supreme Court on July 2 extended its June 30 deadline by a month due to the flood situation. The government and the State Coordinator agreed to adhere to the new deadline by July 30 for the publication of the draft.

“I will like to assure everyone that the NRC exercise is being carried out in a totally impartial, transparent and meticulous manner and will continue to be so. At every stage, adequate opportunity of hearing is given to all persons concerned. The entire process is being conducted according to law and due procedure is being followed,” a Home Ministry statement quoting Rajnath Singh said.

“We will ensure that every individual gets justice and is treated humanely. All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for all remedies available under the law.”

“After the draft’s publication, adequate opportunity for claims and objections will be available. All claims and objections will be duly examined. Adequate opportunity of being heard will be given before the claims and objections are disposed of. Only thereafter will the final NRC be published,” said the Minister.

The senior BJP leader said that the Citizenship Rules provide that any person not satisfied with the outcome of claims and objections can appeal to the Foreigners Tribunal. “Thus, there is no question of anyone being put in a detention centre after the publication of the NRC.”

Talking to the press after the meeting, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to the people to stay away from passing any comment likely to vitiate communal fabric of the state. He also said that after the publication of the first draft NRC on December 31, 2017, people from Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains showed adequate maturity and therefore, peace was not disturbed in the state. He, therefore, asked people of the state to showcase same maturity and restraint this time around to maintain peace and order in the state.

He also said that under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India, the Registrar General of India and State Coordinator of NRC is looking after the updating process of the NRC and the Central and State governments have rendered support in the whole process. He also said that Central and State governments have been showing complete sincerity and giving all kinds of support for the preparation of a complete and flawless NRC. Even in the coming days also both central and state governments would provide all necessary supports in this regards.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Registrar General of India Sailesh, Chief Secretary TY Das, DGP Kuladhar Saikia, senior officers of the Home Department of state were present at the meeting.