NRC maiden draft tomorrow

GUWAHATI, Dec 30: More than 12 years after then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh committed himself to update the tiol Register of Citizens (NRC), the stage is now all set for publication of its first part draft on New Year’s Day. With less than 24 hours to go for its publication, citizens of the State are now awaiting with bated breath to see if their mes feature in the NRC, even as both New Delhi and Dispur have girded up their loins to ensure that there is no untoward incident in the run-up to or post publication of first part draft of NRC.

Hard copies of NRC will be available in NRC seva kendras (NSKs), besides being available online at www.nrcassam.nic.in, www.assam.mygov.in, www.assamgov.in and www.homeandpolitical. assam.gov.in. Individuals can also check their mes in the first part draft of NRC by typing ARN (space) 21-digit ARN on their mobile phones and sending an SMS to any of these numbers: 97655 56555, 91084 64438 and 91084 64450. The ARN is the 21-digit number that was given to individuals upon submitting application for NRC.

While the first part draft will be published on Monday, the second and fil draft of NRC will be published at a later date to be determined by the Supreme Court.

And those whose mes do not feature in the first part draft also need not worry as they will get opportunity to file their claims and objections, whose dates will be announced once the second and fil draft NRC is published.

State Coorditor Prateek Hajela said that no genuine Indian citizen will be left out from the NRC, while ensuring that no foreigner’s me too is included in it. “There is simply no reason for anyone to worry if his or her me is not included in the first part draft of NRC as everyone will get an opportunity to file their claims and objections. The process will be notified at a later date after the second and fil NRC draft is published,” he explained.

Meanwhile, both the Centre and State government are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a foolproof security in the State. While 50 companies of Central armed police forces (CAPF) are already there in the State, another 35 companies have arrived to augment the security apparatus.

Principal Secretary, Home, LS Changsan and Additiol Director General of Police (Law & Order) Mukesh Agrawal are monitoring deployment of the security forces.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is in constant touch with Dispur vis-à-vis the overall prevailing situation on the ground. Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal, who is in-charge of the Home department portfolio, is also closely monitoring the situation.

Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay told The Sentinel that adequate forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. He warned that any person or organisation indulging in mischief like inciting others to create troubles will be taken to task.

There are approximately 2,500 NSKs across the State, and 800 of these have been identified as sensitive by the government. Security forces have mounted a special vigil on such NSKs.