Assam NRC countdown begins, final list to be made public on August 31

As the final Assam NRC list is to be made public on 31 August, many people are seeing the government's move in a negative way. They believe that the BJP government is not only encouraging illegal infiltrators but also providing legal assistance to foreigners. They have also appealed to the Centre to stand with the legal Indian citizen as it is the question of the territorial integrity of the country.

Guwahati (Assam):The final list of the names excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be made public on August 31. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also reviewed the law and order situation of the state on Friday, before the publication of the final version of the National Register of Citizens.

The Supreme Court recently ordered that the final Assam NRC be published online only on August 31. The bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman said that like Aadhaar data, an appropriate regime is enacted for securing the Assam NRC data.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Supreme Court advocate Upamanyu Hazarika gave his reaction over the final Assam NRC list.

Talking about the assurance of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal that the foreigners whose names are excluded from NRC final list will be provided legal assistance, Hazarika expressed his disappointment and said that the entire NRC exercise was undertaken to identify the foreigners and for the protection of the indigenous people, but with this move the BJP government is extending its support only to protect foreigners.

The Union Home Ministry has also increased the time limit for filing appeals in Foreign Tribunals (FTs) from 60 to 120 days, regarding exclusion from the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

Raising a question against the policies of the Central government, Hazarika alleged that as the final NRC is in making, it is clear that the BJP government is going out to protect a large number of foreigners by providing them legal assistance through extending their period.

He appealed the government to stand for the protection of its citizens rather than backing illegal foreigners.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of All Assam Student Union Lurin Jyoti Gogoi said that the government's decision to facilitate the legal aid to the people whose names are not listed in the final NRC is totally unfortunate.

Talking about the government's new amendment in the Foreigner Tribunal Amendment Order 2019 where the application has been extended from 60 to 120, Gogoi said that the decision is unacceptable and everyone should oppose it as this will encourage illegal infiltrators.

Gogoi asked the Centre to stand with the legal Indian citizen as it is the question of the territorial integrity of the country.

Assam is the only state in the country having an NRC which was first prepared in 1951.

However, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during his visit said the government is committed to make the state corruption-free.

Read:| Assam CM reviews law and order ahead of final NRC publication