Assam NRC: Centre, Opposition Spar Over Draft in Rajya Sabha
Names of 40,07,708 have been left out of the complete draft of NRC
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Six of the eight-member Trinamool Congress delegation left Assam this morning after overnight detention at Silchar airport, an official said. Two others, MPs Mamatabala Thakur and Arpita Ghosh, would leave the state later in the day, an official said.
After they landed at the airport yesterday afternoon, they were stopped and taken under preventive detention.
Banerjee had accused the BJP of imposing "super emergency" in the country.
- Names of 40,07,708 have been left out
- The NRC features the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens who have been residing in Assam before 25 March 1971
- Those left out will be able to file an online application on the NRC website or by visiting a NRC Seva Kendra
Catch all the latest updates here.
Prove Identity or go back, Says Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh
Chhatisgarh chief minister Raman Singh today asked if India was a "Dharamshala" (foster care) where people from outside will keep coming. "They must be deported and people have been marked for it," he told ANI, adding that the NRC was a result of an 8-year-long protest by Assamese youth."
"Either the 40 lakh people should prove their identity or go back," he said.
TMC to Observe 'Black day' on August 4 and 5
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will observe "black day" throughout West Bengal on August 4 and 5 to protest against the detention and "manhandling" of its leaders at the Silchar airport in Assam yesterday, a senior party leader said on Friday, 3 August.
TMC secretary general and West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said the party will observe "black day" in every block and district of the state on Saturday and Sunday, PTI reported.
"We condemn the way the public representatives were manhandled and detained by the Assam police at the Silchar airport. They being MPs had every right to visit a place, but all rules were violated and our party delegation was stopped. This is shameful," he told reporters
Cannot Have Ex-Servicemen Out of the List: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that we cannot “cannot leave our borders,” but also added that we cannot have ex-servicemen not included in the final draft.
Communal Disharmony Being Spread: Derek O'Brien
Responding to Rajnath Singh, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said that the government was spreading communal disharmony following the release of Assam NRC draft.
No Coercive Action Against Anyone, Repeats Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh repeated that there will no coercive action against anyone in any situation, in connection with the Assam NRC row.
“I am saying this again, that no coercive action will be taken against anyone in any situation. Attempts to create an atmosphere of fear are condemnable,” Rajnath Singh said in Rajya Sabha.
He added that everyone will get a chance to apply for citizenship and that everyone will get a chance to apply for final list.
He said that the NRC procedure commenced in 1985 through the Assam accord when the late Rajiv Gandhi ji was the prime minister.
“The decision to update was taken by Manmohan Singh ji in 2005,” said Rajnath in Rajya Sabha.
Mamata Has Double Standards, Says WB Cong Leader
West Bengal Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary accused Mamata Banerjee of “double standrads,” by stating that she has sealed the Assam-Bengal border do that others cannot enter Bengal.
Uproar in LS Over TMC Delegation Detention in Assam
Uproar in Lok Sabha by Trinamool Congress MPs after TMC delegation was detained at Silchar airport on Thursday, 3 August.
TMC MP Moves Adjournment Motion in LS
TMC MP Saugata Roy moved adjournment motion in Lok Sabha over detention of party delegation at Silchar airport.
Six Trinamool Cong Leaders Flown Out
Six Trinamool Congress leaders, who were detained at Silchar Airport on 2 August night, were flown out on Friday, 3 August.
Two others will leave Assam later in the day, an officer told PTI.
'NRC Draft is Full of Faults': Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi
Speaking about the NRC draft, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi asserted that it is “full of faults” and that “most of the 40 lakh people whose names have been dropped are Indian citizens”, as he blamed the BJP for creating problems.
Medical Reports of Injured Constables Released
TMC's Mahua Moitra Assaults Female Cop
Send The Illegal Migarants To Other States Of They Are So Concerned: Himanta Biswa Sharma
BJP’s Himata Biswa Sarma told BloombergQuint that the people of Assam have borne the “burden” of illegal immigrants for long enough and that Indian politicians and the rest of the nation will now have to decide on the matter.
“If the country wants to deal with them (the people excluded from the NRC) on humanitarian grounds, they can be sent to other states. India can convince Bangladesh to take them back,” he said.
We Would Have Implemented NRC Much More Efficiently: Tarun Gogoi
Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi, in an interview to BloombergQuint, said that the NRC was poorly implemented and the BJP was playing divisive politics in the state.
“This is our initiative. The way the NRC has been prepared now, it’s faulty and erroneous. There’s a lot of leakage. They’ve not done the work efficiently, doing due justice to the Indian citizens as a result of which 40 lakhs, most of whom are genuine Indian citizens, are left out,” he said.
“I started the process but had it been under our supervision, we’d have done it much more efficiently,” he added.
Action Will Be Taken Against TMC MPs: Assam DGP
Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia said that action will be taken against the TMC leaders for creating a ruckus at the airport.
“We had requested the delegation of TMC leaders not to come to Silchar now as it was important for us to maintain peace in the state. Moreover, Section 144 is imposed in Cachar district. We feared that their arrival might create differences among people,” Saikia told ANI.
“Police have kept them inside the airport with restrictions on their movement. In the scuffle, two of our constables and one worker from district administration were injured. Legal actions will be taken on the basis of FIRs by injured and for violation of Section 144,” he said.
Guwahati Police Issues Prohibitory Orders Against TNC Leaders
Guwahati police issued prohibitory orders against entry of TMC MPs, MLAs, ministers and any other party person who may make inflammatory speeches against NRC.
TMC Leaders Detained for Threatening To Sit on Dharna at Airport: Reports
The Assam police detained the TMC members at the Silchar airport after they threatened to sit on a dharna inside the airport, News18 Assam and North East reported.
The leaders reportedly threatened to sit on a dharna to protest against the police for preventing them from leaving airport earlier.
BJP Showing Muscle Power Because It's Tense, Frustrated: Mamata
After TMC lawmakers were detained at the Silchar airport, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that the BJP was showing muscle power because it is tensed and frustrated.
“These atrocities being done, aren't only being condemned, I think this is beginning of the end. They are frustrated, they are political tense and depressed. And that's why they are showing muscle power,” she said.
On reports of NRC being implemented in West Bengal, Banerjee said that she will not let the BJP intervene in the state.
“Who are they? What significance do they have in West Bengal? Nobody knows them. They are just some hooligans. Their existence itself is in question & they will implement NRC here? I will see how they intervene,” she said.
Assam TMC Chief Resigns from Post
Assam TMC Chief Dwipen Pathak and the only TMC MlA from the state resigned from his post, News18 reported.
“What Mamata Banerjee said about NRC, that it has been brought in Assam to drive out Bengalis, I don't agree with that. It might create disturbance here and the blame would be on me as a president, so I've resigned from the post,” he said.
TMC Lawmakers Detained at Silchar Airport
Six Trinamool Congress MPs and two MLAs have been detained at the Silchar Airport, reported ANI.
“Our delegation was detained at Silchar airport. It is our democratic right to meet people, this is a super emergency like situation,” he said while addressing the media.
NRC Draft Will Ensure Foolproof Security: Assam Guv
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi said that the final NRC list will ensure foolproof security. He added that it was the government’s right to know about those who are illegal immigrants, reported ANI.
Two Assam TMC Leaders Quit Over NRC Issue
Two Assam TMC leaders have submitted their resignation over the NRC draft, after differences with the party, reported News18.
'Will Present Our Take on NRC Soon, But There’s Nothing Greater Than Humanity': Tejashwi Yadav
Speaking about the publication of the complete NRC draft in Assam, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said:
FIR Filed Against Mamata After Assam Group Lodges Complaint
An FIR was reportedly filed against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over her statements regarding NRC, after a group called Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Parishad (AJYP) lodged a complaint against her.
The case was filed under sections concerning criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity between groups, reported Hindustan Times.
Implement NRC in Mumbai, Across India to Identify Bangladeshis, Says BJP MLA
Raj Purohit, a BJP MLA from Maharashtra, today asked why the National Register of Citizens (NRC) can't be implemented in Mumbai and across the country if it worked Assam. "So, I have written to District collector Mumbai, ACS Home, CP Mumbai, State EC to implement the NRC and identify the Bangladeshis in Colaba and Mumbai," Purohit told ANI.
I am Not a BJP Servant, Don't Owe any Reply to Them, Says Mamata
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she isn't a BJP servant who would respond to all of their statements. When asked about the "civil war" comment, Banerjee refused to accept she ever uttered those words. "My concern is regarding the 40 lakh people whose names are not in the list (NRC). BJP is politically tense because they know they won't come to power in 2019,” ANI quoted her as saying.
BJP MP Manoj Tewari Wants NRC-like Survey in Delhi too
Amid a raging debate about the Assam NRC, BJP MP Manoj Tewari today wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, asking him "to conduct a survey in Delhi too". The Parliamentarian further claimed that "a large number of Rohingyas and foreign intruders are residing in Delhi and many of them have also attained Aadhaar and ration cards."
Congress, TMC Taking U-turn on Assam NRC, Says Prakash Javadekar
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday once again came out all guns blazing against the Congress and Trinamool Congress, saying the two parties were taking a U-turn over the issue of National Register of Citizens (NRC) Assam.
He added that the Opposition parties were disrupting the proceedings in the parliament over the matter. When asked about Mamata's remark that there would be a "civil war" if the NRC was implemented in West Bengal, Javadekar said that the West Bengal CM was not complying with the Supreme Court's verdict on the matter.
NRC Will Destroy India's Relations With Bangladesh, Says Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the publication of draft National Register of Citizens in Assam will destroy India's relationship with neighbouring Bangladesh.
Out of 40 lakh people, who don't find themselves in the final draft of the NRC published on July 30, only one per cent could be infiltrators, but the BJP is trying to project as if all of them are infiltrators, she said.
"NRC will destroy India's relationship with Bangladesh," she told reporters outside Parliament.
She also said that 833 people from her state, mainly from Murshidabad district, are in Assam jails.
-PTI
Group Protesting Exclusion of 40 Lakh People From NRC Block Rail Services
Train services in Eastern Railway's Sealdah division were today affected due to a rail blockade at many stations by the All India Matua Mahasangha, protesting the exclusion of 40 lakh people from Assam's complete draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Claiming that the NRC draft would leave many homeless, members of Matua Mahasangha, a religious reformation organisation mainly representing the backward classes, blocked the railway tracks at many stations, news agency PTI reported.
Opposition Parties to Go Into a Huddle Over NRC Issue
The Opposition parties will hold a meeting next week to discuss the National Register of Citizens (NRC) Assam and formulate a strategy to counter the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. The proceedings in the parliament, over the last couple of days, have been disrupted and no discussion could take place.
Exclusion From NRC Doesn't Mean 'Removal' From Electoral Roll: CEC Rawat
A day after almost 4 million people didn't find their names on the National Register for Citizens (NRC) Assam list, the Chief Election Commissioner, O P Rawat, today said that exclusion from the NRC didn't mean “automatic removal” from the electoral roll, for it is governed by a separate law.
Rawat told The Indian Express that a voter, despite her absence from the final NRC, will continue to remain on the state’s electoral roll if she can prove to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) that she has “sufficient documents” to prove three things. "
Mamata Banerjee Govt Did Not Verify Over 1 Lakh Papers: NRC Official
An NRC co-ordinator accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal of not verifying more than one lakh papers that were sent to them, reported News 18. The officer claimed that the state government verified only 15,000 papers verified by the government.
This comes after Banerjee accused the NRC of being biased against those with Bengal origins.
On Wednesday, 1 August, Banerjee said:
Mamata Banerjee's Statement Condemnable: Kiren Rijuju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned it, saying that it was not her duty to “incite violence.”
Greed For Power Driving BJP to Implement NRC: Ahmed Patel
Congress leader Ahmed Patel hit out at Amit Shah, saying that the BJP did not show “guts” but “greed for power” in implementing the NRC in Assam.
RS Adjourned After Uproar Over Amit Shah's Statement on NRC
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm on 1 August, after Opposition staged protests over RS Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asking BJP President Amit Shah to conclude his statement on Assam NRC draft.
Venkaiah Naidu Appeals For Smooth Functioning of RS
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu appealed for the smooth functioning of the upper house, in the light of NRC draft row.
Protest in West Bengal Over NRC Draft
The Matua Mahasangha staged a 'rail roko andolan' in North 24 Parganas district in southern West Bengal against the NRC draft on Wednesday, 1 August, ANI reported.
Congress MP Issues Zero Hour Notice In LS Over NRC
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has given a zero hour notice over Assam NRC draft in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Lok Sabha, ANI reports.
Some People Are Bound To Be Excluded: Tripura Governor
Responding to the NRC draft, Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy said that if there is an inquiry for creating a National Register of Citizens, it is obvious that “some people are bound to be excluded”. In a telephonic statement to News18, Roy added that the definition of a “refugee” must be on the basis of distinguishing between refugee and infiltrator than on any religious basis.
Those Living Illegally Can't Snatch The Rights of Our Hindus and Muslim: UP Deputy CM
Responding to Mamata Banerjee’s allegations that the BJP government is playing “vote bank politics” with NRC, the Deputy CM of UP, Dinesh Sharma, said that the Bengal Chief Minister is “levelling” allegations because her time in Bengal is over.
“Don't bring in caste or religion, they're snatching rights of Indian Muslims, Hindus, and Christians too. Bengal mein Mamata didi ka deep bujhne wala hai aur wahan ke daldal mein kamal khilne wala hai (Mamata didi’s time is over in Bengal, its time for the BJP to rise). She knows this, so is levelling allegations,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
He added that someone living illegally in the country has no right to “snatch” the rights of Hindus and Muslims.
'It Has No Relation to Bangladesh': Bangladesh I&B Minister After Publishing of NRC Draft
Responding to the publishing of the complete NRC draft, Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasanul Haq Inu told ANI, on Tuesday, 31 July, that the neighbouring country will not speak until India shares the NRC findings with them and raises the issue.
“You can’t link every Bengali-speaking person to Bangladesh,” he was quoted as saying.
Opposition Communalising NRC Issue: Ram Madhav
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday said that it was unfortunate that Amit Shah was not allowed to speak in the Parliament and the Opposition is trying to communalise the issue.
“It is unfortunate that our National President (Amit Shah) was not allowed to speak on this issue in the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition's stand is very unfortunate. They are trying to politicise and communalise this,” he said.
“No country in the world tolerates illegal migrants in its territory. As far as NRC is concerned , it was undertaken under the complete guidance and monitoring of Supreme Court. No political interference was there,” he added.
Told Mamata Banerjee Nobody Will Be Harassed: Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, after a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said that he assured her that no citizen would be harassed in the Assam NRC process.
“I told her that draft NRC had been published in accordance with the provisions of Assam Accord and as per decisions taken in a tripartite meeting on 5 February 2005 between the Centre, State Government of Assam and All Assam Students Union to update NRC, 1951,” he said.
“Nobody will be harassed in this entire process and at every stage of the process, adequate opportunity of being heard will be given to all persons. The draft NRC has been prepared in accordance with the law under the monitoring of the SC,” he added.
There Will Be Civil War if NRC Is Implemented in West Bengal: Mamata Tells Rajnath
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the Assam NRC and also told him that there will be “civil war” if NRC is implemented in West Bengal.
“I asked him to amend the NRC Bill or bring a new Bill. He has assured me they will not harass people. I also spoke to him about reports of NRC being implemented in Bengal, I told him that if such a thing happens, there could be a civil war," she said.
Amit Shah Declared 40 Lakh People as Infiltrators: Congress
Congress leader Manish Tewari said that Amit Shah declared 40 lakh people as infiltrators.
“On what empirical evidence has Amit Shah declared 40 lakh people as Bangladeshi infiltrators? Does PM Modi promise to send these people to Bangladesh? An absurd situation has been created. It will subvert Assam and disrupt entire North East,” he said.
Don't Want Eligible Voters to be Left Out: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said that the Election Commission does not want eligible voters to be left out of the NRC.
“Have asked state chief electoral officers to coordinate with state NRC coordinators to prepare a roadmap so that summary revision of electoral rolls is completed by 4 January, 2019. We don't want eligible voters being left out of the electoral roll,” said Rawat.
BJP President Amit Shah Addresses Media Over Assam NRC
BJP President Amit Shah while addressing the media said that the names that have been excluded from the Assam NRC are those of intruders and not Indians.
Here are the key highlights of the address:
- The names that have been excluded are intruders, not Indian citizens.
- 40 lakh is not the final number, there will be a decisive procedure for them.
- No Indian citizens’ names have been excluded.
- Names of those who couldn’t provide proof of Indian identity are excluded.
- This is a primary list, not a final one.
- There is attempt to establish that BJP is discriminatory against people
- This was done in accordance with the ‘Assam Accord.’
- The Congress is questioning NRC for vote bank. Congress did not have the guts to implement it.
- Want Congress, TMC and all political parties to clear their stand on Bangladeshi intruders.
- This has been done for the rights of Indian citizens and for national security.
Mamata Banerjee Attacks Assam NRC
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Assam NRC draft saying that she will not allow any such thing to happen in West Bengal.
“I am surprised to see that the names of our former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's family members are not on the Assam NRC list. What else can I say? There are so many people whose names are not there,” she said.
Transgenders File Petition for Being Excluded from Assam NRC
Prateek Hajela, Principal Secretary, Home, and State Coordinator of the NRC told ANI that transgenders filed a petition over being excluded from the Assam NRC.
“There is a petition that has been filed by Assam Transgender Association on which the court has not given an order today. It may give an order on it in the next hearing which is on 16 August,” he said.
People Will Know Reasons For Non-Exclusion From 7 August: NRC Co-ordinator
The apex court emphasised that those people who did not find their names in the draft must be given a fair chance to prove their claims, reported News18. It also sought procedure to be followed regarding evaluation.
The NRC Co-ordinator reportedly told the Supreme Court that people know the reasons for non-inclusion of their names in the draft from 7 August.
Court will hear the case next on 16 August.
Illegal bangladeshi Immigrants Should Be Shot: Telangana BJP MLA
Telangana BJP leader Raja Singh saod that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants should be “shot and eliminated.”
Uproar in RS After Amit Shah Speaks On NRC Draft
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on 31 July, after uproar in house following BJP President Amit Shah spoke in the Rajya Sabha over the NRC draft release. He said that the Opposition was battling for “Bangladeshi infiltrators.”
NRC Row Not a Big Issue Even for Assam: Biplab Deb
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb on Tuesday, 31 July, said that the NRC is “not a big issue even for Assam,” dismissing that such a registry was not required in Tripura. He said people were trying to create panic and disturb the environment.
Centre Conducting Operation Insaniyat Only in Bangladesh: TMC MP
TMC MP Sugata Bose on Tuesday, 31 July, said the Centre was conducting ‘Operation Insaniyat’ for the Rohingyas only in Bangladesh, in the light of the row over the NRC release in Assam.
Responding to this, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said “ This is an unfortunate statement by him Sugata Bose.India is probably only country which has adopted such a soft approach to refugees. We also told Myanmar that we are ready to assist them in providing facilities to Rohingyas when they return.”
Opposition Party MPs Protest Over Assam NRC Release
Opposition party MPs from Trinamool Congress, Aam Admi Party and Samajwadi Party staged protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament over release of NRC in Assam.
TMC MP Issues Adjournment Motion In LS Over NRC
TMC MP Saugata Roy gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over NRC Assam draft which was released on 31 July.
Former President's Nephew Not On NRC List
Former Indian President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's nephew could not find his names in the NRC draft list released on Monday, 31 Jult, reported News18.
Speaking to the channel, Ziauddin Ali Ahmed said he was very worried and will look into the matter.
TMC MPs to Visit Assam Over NRC Issue
A delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs to visit Assam on 2 August over National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue.
'Execution of This Critical and Highly Sensitive Exercise Has Been Tardy': Rahul Gandhi on NRC
Congress President Rahul Gandhi slammed the Modi government and the state government in Assam for the "tardy" execution of the "critical and highly sensitive exercise" of drafting the NRC.
In a Facebook post, Gandhi said "the manner in which this exercise has been undertaken by the BJP Governments at the centre and in the State of Assam leaves much to be desired."
“The Government must move swiftly to resolve this crisis,” he added.
AIUDF Chief Alleges 'Assam Govt Removed Names of Minorities'
Badruddin Ajmal, the chief of the All Indian United Democratic Front (AIUDF), said that he was grateful to the Supreme Court for its intervention in the matter. Ajmal alleged that "NRC implementing agency was under Assam government that had RSS people. They've tried to remove names of people belonging to minorities. People whose names aren't on the list shouldn't be scared," reported ANI.
We are Indians as Long as Our Names Appear on Voter List: Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi
Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that the National Register of Citizens was the brainchild of the Congress party, adding that people whose names are missing need not worry. "They will get a chance. The NRC will find the number of foreigners in Assam. As long as our name is there on the voters' list, we are citizens of India," he told ANI.
Government Sets December 31 to Complete NRC Process
The Assam government has set 31 December as the deadline to complete the entire process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Will Launch NRC in West Bengal too, Says BJP's Dilip Ghosh
West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh today said that if his party wins in the state, it will launch a National Register of Citizens (NRC) here as well. About the objections to Assam NRC, Ghosh said that some politicians were shedding "crocodile tears", for they were afraid that the NRC will end their "vote bank" politics.
Ensure that Families Aren't Torn Apart: Amnesty International Appeals to Government
Arijit Sen, Programmes Manager, Amnesty International India, in a statement appealed to the government to ensure that all appeals are processed in transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
“Care should be taken to ensure that families are not torn apart, and appropriate legal aid should be provided to those who are at risk of losing their nationality. The fate of those who may lose their nationality, as a consequence of this process, is unclear,” the statement read.
The statement also said that the government should make public their plan for dealing with those at risk of being rendered stateless and ensure that their rights are not violated.
Will Abide By Directions of Supreme Court: CM Sonowal
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, while expressing confidence that people will maintain peace, said that the state will abide by the Supreme Court orders.
“Assam is a very peaceful state and we are confident that all sections of society will come forward to maintain peace and tranquillity in the time to come. We will always abide by the direction of Supreme Court,” he said.
This is a Divide & Rule Policy: Mamata Banerjee Slams NRC Draft
Addressing the media, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the NRC draft list, calling it a “game-plan” and a “divide and rule policy”.
“There were people who have Aadhaar cards and passports but still their names are not in the draft list. Names of people were removed on the basis of surnames also. Is the Government trying to do forceful eviction?” she asked.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned for 2nd Time
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the second time till 2 pm on Monday, 30 July, as Opposition parties led by the TMC created an uproar over publication of Assam's National Register of Citizens.
When the Upper House resumed after the first adjournment at noon, members from Opposition parties especially Congress, TMC and Samajwadi Party were up on their feet to raise the issue again.
But Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow them and adjourned proceedings for the second time till 2 pm.
(With inputs from PTI)
Be Sensitive in Covering NRC Draft: Gaurav Gogoi to Media
Following the release of the final NRC draft on Monday, 30 July, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi asked the media to “be sensitive” regarding the list.
Central Govt Intentionally Eliminated More than 40 lakh Applicants: TMC
Following the uproar caused by the TMC MPs in the Rajya Sabha, TMC leader SS Roy told ANI:
“Central Government has intentionally eliminated more than 40 lakh religious and linguistic minorities from NRC(National Register of Citizens), which will have serious ramifications on the demography of different states adjoining Assam. The Prime Minister should come to the House and clarify it.”
Responding to this in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said:
Rajya Sabha Adjourned till Noon
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12 pm after TMC MPs caused a stir over the NRC draft, ANI reports.
Congress Blames BJP's "Political Motive"
Calling out the 40 lakh names that were not included in the NRC draft a “very high figure” and “very surprising”, Ripun Bora, the Congress Chief in Assam, said:
“There are lot of irregularities in the report. We will raise this issue with the Government and in the Parliament. Political motive of BJP is also behind this.”
No Reason to Panic, Completely Impartial Report: Rajnath Singh
Speaking about the NRC final draft, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear. This is a completely impartial report. No misinformation should be spread,” ANI reports.
Stressing on the fact that it was just a draft and not the final list, he added:
TMC MP Gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha
Following the release of the NRC final draft on Monday, 30 July, TMC MP Sougata Roy gave an adjournment motion notice in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Lok Sabha, ANI reports.
Final NRC to be Announced in December, 2018
Those applicants who were left out of the NRC final draft, will have the option to file an online application on the NRC website or by visiting a NRC Seva Kendra.
The final NRC list is scheduled to be announced in December 2018, the authorities addressing the Press Conference, said.
Reasons for Rejection Not Made Public: State Coordinator
The State Coordinator, Prateek Haleja said that the reasons for why the names of the 40,07,708 have been left out of the final draft, will not be disclosed publicly by the authorities.
He said that each of these applicants would be individually told the reason behind the same, when they approach the relevant authorities on 7 August.
Adding to this, the Registrar General said: “Every person whose name was in the first draft but is missing from final draft, will be given an individual letter to file claim for her or his non-inclusion, during the claims and objections process.”
Only Claims & Objections to be Addressed Now: Registrar General of India
Responding to a question regarding the current status of those whose names have not been included in the final draft, the Registrar General of India said:
“At this moment there will be no other action. Only claims and objections will be addressed, until the final list is drawn up...Till the final list is published later this year status quo remains. They will not be looked at Indian citizens nor as foreigners- they will merely be looked at as ‘applicants’.”
He also stated: “Based on this draft there is no question of any reference to Foreigners Tribunal or any person being taken to the detention centre.”
2,89,83,677 Applicants Found Eligible
Out of 3,29,91,385 applicants 2,89,83,677 have been found eligible for inclusion in complete draft of NRC.
40,07,708 people don’t make it to the list.
“This is just a draft, and not the final list. The people who are not included can make claims and objections,” the State Coordinator said.
Press Conference at NRC Office in Guwahati Begins
The Press Conference in Guwahati, where the final draft of the NCR list is to be announced, has begun.
NRC State Coordinator, Officials Arrive For Press Briefing
State NRC coordinator Prateek Haleja, Registrar General Sailesh and Satyendra Garg Joint Secretary (North East) have arrived for the press briefing at the State Coordinator’s office in Guwahati, News18 reports.
Security Tightened Across Assam
Security has been beefed up across the state to prevent any law and order situation following the publication of the draft, with deputy commissioners and SPs being directed to maintain a strict vigil, a senior police official said here.
Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in seven districts – Barpeta, Darrang, Dima Hasao, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Golaghat and Dhubri.
Vulnerable areas have been identified by the SPs in their respective districts and the situation is being monitored closely to prevent any untoward incident, particularly those arising due to rumour-mongering, the official said.
The Centre has despatched 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces to gear up security in Assam and neighbouring states.
"All steps are being taken. Confident there won't be breach of peace and tranquillity. Over 200 companies will take care of law and order,” Assam DGP, K Saikia, told ANI.
Sonowal Directs Officers to Remain Alert
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had held a high-level meeting recently on the NRC draft release and directed the officers to remain alert and help and explain the process of claims and objections to people whose names do not appear in the draft.
Sonowal had also directed the officials not to refer any case to the Foreigners' Tribunal based on the NRC draft list.
What Happens If A Person's Name Is Not There In NRC
If a person's name does not appear in the draft, they have to apply in prescribed forms in their respective NSKs. These forms will be available from 7 August to 28 September and the authorities will then inform them the reason for their names being left out.
The next step will be to file the claim in another prescribed form which will be available from 30 August to 28 September and these claims will be finally disposed of after proper hearings.
The NRC is being updated under the Supreme Court supervision with 24 March 1971 as the cut-off date for genuine Indian citizens in Assam.
The first draft of the ongoing NRC process was released at the midnight of 31 December 2017. It comprised 1.9 crore names out of the total application of 3.29 crore people in Assam.
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