Assam: NRC final draft with 2.9 crore names released; 40 lakh names missing

The much-anticipated second and final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was published today with 2.9 crore names out of the total 3.29 crore applicants in Assam, said Sailesh, Registrar General of India.

The names of 40.07 lakh applicants did not find a place in the historic document, touted to be a proof of Assamese identity. The first draft of the NRC was published during the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 this year, containing 1.9 crore names.

"This is a historic day for India and Assam. The exercise is unparalleled in size. It is a legal process done under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court," said Sailesh. The exercise was carried out in a transparent, fair, objective manner, he stated.

The NRC will include the names of all Indian citizens who have been residing in Assam before March 25, 1971.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that the draft National Register of Citizens for Assam is completely “impartial" and those whose names are not included shouldn't panic as they will get an opportunity to prove their Indian citizenship.

The home minister's reaction came after the draft NRC, which was published on Monday with the names of about 40 lakh residents of the state not being included. “No coercive action will be taken against anyone. Hence, there is no need for anyone to panic,” he told reporters in Delhi.

The Opposition parties led by the TMC and the Samajwadi Party on Monday created an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over the publication of Assam's National Register of Citizens, forcing adjournment of proceedings till noon.

No sooner had the House mourned the death of a former member and listed papers presented, TMC members led by their leader Derek O'Brien were up on their feet raising the issue. He wanted to raise the issue but could not speak as the ruckus continued.

Talking about people whose names did not appear in the final draft, Sailesh said, "The process for making claims and objections will begin on August 30 and continue till September 28. Adequate and ample scope will be given to people for making objections. No genuine Indian citizen should have any fear." The application process for the NRC started in May 2015 and a total of 6.5 crore documents were received from 68.27 lakh families across Assam, he added.

Assam CM congratulates people, calls it a historic day

Congratulating the people of the state for the successful publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said “the historic day will remain etched in their memories forever”.

The CM thanked the officials, who were involved in updating the NRC.

"For this remarkable feat, I extend my heartiest congratulations to the 55,000 officials engaged in NRC updation process and the people living across the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, plains and hills of the state," he said.

Sonowal expressed confidence that the NRC, which has become the "instrument to safeguard the interest of greater Assamese society", would be able to pave the way for realising the hopes and aspirations of the genuine Indian citizens.

Both the central and the state governments have extended their support from the very beginning of the NRC publication exercise, he asserted.

“After the government led by the BJP and its allies assumed power in 2016 in the state, I went to the NRC office on May 25 that year to take forward the process,” he said.

Sonowal also urged people not to panic if their names did not appear in NRC draft as genuine Indian citizens would get “full opportunity” to make claims and objections.

"NRC is a national programme. It is the duty and obligation of every Indian citizen to maintain peace in the wake of its publication. I appeal to all sections of the society to desist from making any inflammatory or communal remarks," he added.