NRC final Draft: No one will be sent to detention camp after the publication, assures Rajnath Singh

Days before the publication of NRC in Assam, minister Rajnath Singh told the state citizens that there is no need to panic. He informed that all bonafide Indians will be given adequate opportunities to prove their citizenship.

Singh, in a series tweets said the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is being updated in accordance with the ‘Assam Accord’ signed on August 15, 1985. He added that it is being carried out as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which is constantly monitoring the process.

“There is no reason for panic or fear. No person will be allowed to be harassed. We will ensure that every individual gets justice and is treated in a humane manner,” he said.

The home minister also assured that the NRC exercise is being carried out in a totally impartial, transparent and meticulous manner and will continue to be so. He posted, “All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for all remedies available under the law. At every stage of the process, adequate opportunity is given to all persons to be heard.”

The home minister added that the entire process is being conducted according to law and due procedure is being followed.

As readers would know, NRC final draft would be published on July 30. Calling it only as a draft, Singh also said, “All claims and objections will be duly examined. Adequate opportunity of being heard will be given before disposal of claims and objections. Only thereafter, final NRC will be published.”

The home minister also said that the Citizenship Rules provide that any person who is not satisfied with the outcome of claims and objections can appeal in the Foreigner’s Tribunal. Therefore, there is no question of anyone being put in a detention centre after the publication of NRC.

Stating that the central government will provide all necessary help to the state government of Assam, he accorded, “Ensure that law and order are maintained and no one is allowed to take law into their hands, and all possible arrangements are made to ensure safety and security for all.”

The first draft of the NRC was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1. It only carried names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore.

Assam, which faced an influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC, first prepared in 1951 with only 80 lakh citizens.