The Barpeta Police appealed to the people in the state to not panic if their names do not appear in the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) to be published on August 31st, 2019.
On August 25th, 2019, an awareness programme on NRC was organized at the Tarabari police station. The programme was initiated by Robin Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Barpeta. In the event, the police officials asked the people not to worry about the final list of NRC. The Village Defence Party personnel were instructed to be vigilant and monitor the NRC Seva Kendras in the district.
District Special Branch (DSB) Additional SP Hemen Das said, “The vigilantes are asked to assist the people who will come to check their names in the list. They have to ensure that people do not panic. The VDP personnel should remain alert to prevent any untoward incident on the day of the publication of final NRC.”
It may be mentioned, the Supreme Court has directed the Central and Assam Governments to publish the final NRC on August 31st, 2019 only online. The Ministry of Home Affairs on August 20th, 2019 announced that the time limit to appeal at the Foreigners’ Tribunal for the people of Assam excluded from the NRC has been increased from 60 to 120 days.
Assam Director-General of Police Kuladhar Sakia on August 23rd, 2019 assured that the state police force has taken adequate security measures ahead of the publication of the final NRC.
On the midnight of December 31st, 2017, a partial draft of the NRC was released and subsequently on July 30th, 2018, the complete draft NRC was released. A total of 2,89,83,677 persons were found eligible out of 3,29,91,384 applicants in the final draft of the NRC. The NRC authorities on June 26th, 2019 published an additional draft exclusion list consisting of 1,02,462 persons.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah for additional security forces to which, Shah assured all assistance from the Centre for maintaining law and order after the publication of final NRC. The Supreme Court has been monitoring the NRC updation exercise since 2013. The Union Home Minister also appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace in the aftermath of the publication of NRC.
Photo: Maidul Islam
