New Delhi, July 25: With Assam on the edge ahead of the publication of the draft NRC, the Home Ministry Wednesday asked the state government not to take any action against those whose names do not figure in the list of the state’s citizens.
The ministry has also rushed over 22,000 central paramilitary troops in order to beef up security in Assam and adjoining areas to ensure peace and maintenance of law and order. “There is no question of referring the persons whose names do not figure in the draft NRC to the Foreigners’ Tribunal as people are entitled to file claims and objections and due opportunity has to be given to them before final publication,” an advisory of the ministry said.
The home ministry said the Assam government has been advised to set up a state-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to ensure coordination among state agencies, National Register of Citizens (NRC) authorities and central agencies.
“Round-the-clock control rooms at the state capital and district headquarters are to be activated to receive complaints and coordinate prompt response,” it said. The Registrar General of India (RGI) has been asked to use all means of communication including websites, toll-free numbers, SMS etc, to provide information to public about the draft NRC. An intensive public awareness campaign has been launched to disseminate information regarding the NRC process, options available for individuals whose names do not figure in the draft NRC, the procedure and timeline for filing claims and objections, etc so as to address the concerns of people left out of the draft list.
The ministry said the question of referring any person to a detention centre based on the NRC exercise also does not arise. “The state government has been asked to issue clear instructions in this regard to all administrative and police functionaries,” it said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured that every individual will get justice and will be treated in a humane manner.
“All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for the remedies available under the law. Government wants to make it clear that after draft NRC publication on July 30, adequate opportunity for claims and objections will be available. All claims and objections will be duly examined,” he had said.
Officials said a total of 220 companies (100 personnel in each company) of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) are being sent to the state ahead of the publication of the draft NRC.
The home ministry has directed the paramilitary units to be deployed immediately in the vulnerable areas of the state.