The first draft, with 1.9 crore names, was released on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, this year.
The NRC released the list online and in all the NRC Sewa Kendras (NSK) across the state at 10 am. The NRC draft features the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens, who have been residing in the northeastern state before March 25, 1971.
There was an uproar in both the Houses of the Parliament over the matter following which Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the draft is completely "impartial" and those whose names are not included shouldn't panic as they will get an opportunity to prove their Indian citizenship.
"No coercive action will be taken against anyone. Hence, there is no need for anyone to panic," he told reporters in the national capital.
Even someone whose name is not in the final list can approach the foreigners tribunal, Singh was quoted by news agency PTI said.
"Some people are unnecessarily trying to create an atmosphere of fear. This is a completely impartial report. No misinformation should be spread. This is a draft and not the final list," he said.
Singh reiterated the same inside Loka Sabha later saying the government cannot be held responsible for the list. He said people should not panic as they have a provision of filing claims and objections which will be looked into in the next three months.
ABP News correspondent Jainendra Kumar travelled to Nagaon district in Assam to speak to locals and find out whose names have been omitted from the list."I had filled names of four members of my family in the list. Only my name has appeared now, “said Dildar Hussain. When asked what would be his next step, he said, "We will go to NRC office and put a claim. That's the only option we have"
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a political party in the state, has expressed disappointment as the list has allegedly excluded names of many of its leaders. It chief Badruddin Ajmal who is also a Lok Sabha MP said, "Families of AIUDF party leaders are not named in the list. See 40 lakh is not a small number. We believe in Supreme Court and hope the issue gets resolved soon."
The issue was swiftly picked up by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who in a press conference questioned whether the BJP-ruled NDA government was forcefully evicting people. "There were people who have Aaadhar 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?"
Giving out his first reactions over the issue, Congress President Rahul Gandhi wrote on Facebook that "there are reports pouring in from all corners of Assam of Indian citizens finding their names missing in the draft NRC, creating massive insecurity in the state."
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 August 7 to September 28 and the authorities will then inform them the reason for their names being left out.
The NRC is being updated under the Supreme Court supervision with March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for genuine Indian citizens in Assam.
UPDATES:
- Based on this draft there is no question of any reference to Foreigners Tribunal or any person being taken to the detention centre: Satyendra Garg Joint Secretary (North East)
- Out of 3.29 crore people, 2.89 crore have been found eligible to be included.
- Here it is to be noted that this is just a draft, and not the final list. The people who are not included can make claims and objections.
- 40 lakh seven thousand seven hundred 17 people in Assam do not have nation's citizenship
- Two crore eighty nine lakhs, eighty three thousand six hundred and seventy seven people have been found eligible to be included in the National Register of Citizens: State
#NRC Coordinator#Assam
If the name is left out, the next step will be to file the claim in another prescribed form which will be available from August 30 to September 28 and these claims will be finally disposed of after proper hearings.
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..
Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in seven districts-- Barpeta, Darrang, Dima Hasao, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Golaghat and Dhubri.
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.
It is said that there would be enough scope for claims by people whose names do not appear in the draft, adding "genuine citizens should not panic if their names fail to figure in the document".
(with additional input from agencies)