‘All genuine Indian citizens not included in NRC needn’t panic’

GUWAHATI:THE names of four million applicants were missing when Assam published the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) on Monday, worrying those excluded and prompting the Opposition to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp)-led governments at the Centre and in the state of targeting particular groups. Assam has remained calm though. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in an interview to Utpal Parashar, talked about the way ahead for those left out of the draft. Excerpts:

What is the situation across Assam now following the publication of the NRC final draft?

The overall situation in Assam, both in Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, after publication of complete draft of the NRC, is completely peaceful. People in the state cutting across all castes and tribes, religious, linguistic divides have welcomed the draft and exhibited a great sense of unity and harmony.

What would be your appeal to people, both whose names have appeared in the NRC draft and those left out?

All genuine Indian citizens whose names are not included in this NRC draft do not need to panic as no one will be treated as a foreigner. Ample opportunity will be given to the applicants to prove their eligibility for inclusion in the final NRC through claims and objections. Meanwhile, people whose names have featured in the complete draft must take the responsibility of helping those genuine Indian citizens whose names aren’t included in the draft-- so that they can get themselves registered in the NRC.

The Centre and the state governments have been accused of manipulating the NRC process with a political agenda in mind. What would be your reply to those charges?

The NRC updation process has been carried out under the direct supervision of the honourable Supreme Court and the active role of the Registrar General of India along with joint cooperation of the Central and the state governments. Around

55,000 officials of the state government relentlessly worked to ensure successful publication of the draft. This has been performed as a national duty with dedication and commitment.

There is still lack of clarity on what will happen to those among the four million applicants (whose names are missing from the final draft) who are left out of the final list to be published on December 31.

All future steps in this regard would be taken as per direction of the apex court.

You are seen as a ‘Jatiya Nayak’ or hero for all Assamese people for your role in getting the contentious Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act repealed by the Supreme Court in 2005. What are your thoughts on the complete NRC draft and the road ahead to protect the rights of indigenous Assamese and also to put an end to the influx of illegal immigrants to the state?

The draft is a historic document and it will emerge as a powerful means to protect the interest of the people of Assam in the days to come.

There was lot of opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam as it proposes to grant citizenship to religious minorities from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh. Do you feel publication of the complete draft has helped the BJP as well as the state government in improving its image among the residents of Assam?

The NRC updation process has been carried out keeping in mind the interests of the genuine Indian citizens of the state... The Bjp-led coalition government of Assam is deeply committed to the cause of the people of the state.