NRC publication: Assam CM appeals to people to maintain peace

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged people to refrain from making "inflammatory" remarks in the wake of publication of the final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC), an official release said.

During an all-party meeting last night, the CM appreciated the role of the people of Assam in successful completion of the "herculean task" of preparing the NRC, under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, it said.

The representative of parties, too, agreed to extend whole-hearted support to the authorities involved in preparing the NRC. The parties said they would extend necessary legal aid to the genuine applicants.

They also requested people not to panic if their names did not appear on the list as "all genuine applicants would get ample time for claims and objections".

Dispelling fears of confinement, Sonowal said no one would be sent to any detention camp after the publication of the final draft, the release said.

"The first draft of NRC was published (on the midnight of December 31, 2017) in a very peaceful environment. I appeal to the people of the state to maintain the same environment on the aftermath of publication of the final draft," the release said quoting the CM.

The government would not tolerate any "communal remarks" on the NRC and people must work jointly to thwart all "evil designs of divisive forces", he added.

The members of Congress, BJP, Asom Gana Parisad, CPI(M), CPI, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and representatives of Karbi Anglong as well as NC Hills Autonomous councils were present at yesterday's meeting among others, the release added.