NRC final draft: “Because of the floods in Barak Valley we might miss the 30 June deadline,” says Prateek Hajela

The state coordinator of National Register of Citizens (NRC) proceedings in Assam, Prateek Hajela is burning his mid-night oil since sometime now. Balancing between Supreme Court deadlines and State grievances is undoubtedly a toiling task which he has been managing and now in the penultimate moments Hajela has to deal with natural calamity. Due to heavy rainfall and rising water level Barak Valley is flooded with overflowing river water. Thousands and thousands of people had to leave their house and find shelter in relief camps. In Cachar itself about 22 NRC Seva Kendra (service centres) are under water in Hailakandi and Karimganj too many centres are inundated.

“Since Wednesday condition deteriorated in Barak Valley and that impacted NRC proceedings heavily. Because of the floods in Barak Valley we might miss the 30 June deadline,” said Hazela while speaking to Barakbulletin.com.

The state coordinator further explained that the workforce deployed for the NRC proceedings are government officials and now they are needed in their respective departments and therefore they are unable to devote their time to NRC proceedings. “I spoke to the deputy commissioners of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj, I am told the conditions have improved in Karimganj, but in Cachar and Hailkandi it’s still horrible. Now in such a scenario it is impossible for anyone to say when will settle down, so I would appeal to the authority for an extended deadline given the scenario we are in,” Hazela added.

While water level of all the rivers surrounding Barak Valley receded below danger level about 130 villages are still under water. Close to 200 roads connecting various parts of Barak Valley are still submerged, Railway service between Silchar and Badarpur is yet to be restored. All of that are coming in the way of NRC proceedings. “Only after conditions improved we will be able to know how far behind we are from the schedule and depending on that we would appeal for an extension,” said Hajela.

The NRC proceedings in Assam is conducted under directives of the Supreme Court and for Hajela to get any extension his counsel would need to convince Ranjan Gogoi lead bench of judges. For now 30 June, 2018 stays as the deadline until and unless Supreme Court allows an extension.