Sonowal allays fears over updation of citizens' register

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday reiterated that genuine Indian citizens need not worry about exclusion of their names during the updation of National Register of Citizens, and accusing some sections of trying to spread a misinformation campaign.

"Those spreading misinformation campaign about the NRC are anti-nationals. NRC is meant to protect the country. Genuine Indian citizens do not need to worry about being excluded from the NRC and the state government is committed to prepare a flawless draft NRC," he told media here.

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam through a Supreme Court monitored process and the draft updated NRC is expected to be published next month.

The updated NRC is expected to effectively deal with the issue of illegal foreigners in the state.

NRC coordinator Pratik Hajela recently stated that around 48 lakh people in the state have submitted panchayat certificates as supporting document for inclusion of their names in the NRC and that out of this, 17.4 lakh have been identified as original inhabitants. The rest are being examined.

This has led to large-scale apprehension among the people that their names would not figure in the draft NRC.

Several organisations like the All Assam Minority Students' Union and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind have also questioned the classification 'original inhabitant'.

The government has sought additional forces to be deployed in the state as the misinformation campaign could lead to law and order problem after the draft NRC is published.

Congress alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is delaying the NRC updation process and trying to create a divide between Hindus and Muslims.

--IANS

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