New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Wednesday reiterated that the final NRC for the state of Assam be readied by July 31, regardless of the failure of the objectors to pursue their objections against those whose names have been included in the draft NRC published in July last year.
While speaking to Etv Bharat, All Assam Students Union (AASU) Chief Advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya, said, "The court will not extend the July 31 deadline for finalization of the NRC. The Hon'ble court has also given discretion to the NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela to take calls where the objectors are not appearing for hearing".
The top court told the Assam coordinator of the exercise to approach the registrar if urgent hearing is needed when the court is in recess for summer. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman gave the Assam coordinator of the NRC, Prateek Hajela, the liberty to mention the matter before the registrar during the summer vacation in case an urgent hearing is required.The direction by the court came after Hajela explained the entire matter of Objections to the bench, citing how the complainants are not appearing before the panels during the hearing process. At this, the Supreme Court said, “exercise your discretion. Keep the law in mind.”“We have 3 months in hand – the officials engaged in this process should work with renewed vigour to prepare an NRC that will not have a single illegal Bangladeshi. We believe that the state coordinator will give us a pure NRC,” said Bhattacharya.The AASU is also a part of the NRC issue."The state coordinator is free to deal with all incidental issues, that may arise, in his wise direction and in accordance with the law," the apex court said in its order.The NRC updating process has been initiated in Assam following severe protests from different organisations mainly to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshis.NRC update was one of the demands of the historic Assam Accord that was signed in 1985 to end years-long anti-foreigners movement.The accord was signed between the then Central Government, Assam government and AASU.
