Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has squarely blamed it on the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) for the delay in NRC update in the State.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on Sunday, Gogoi said: “The NRC that has been published is nothing but a waste paper. Around 80 per cent people of the State have rejected the NRC. Let Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal make his stand clear – if he’s accepted the final NRC or not. This is because one of his Cabinet colleagues and some BJP leaders have been airing comments against the NRC. The BJP government in the State has intentionally failed to reach the very goal with which the Congress government started the NRC update exercise.”
Gogoi said: “The over 19 lakh people who have been found ineligible for inclusion in the final NRC haven’t been declared foreigners. If they’re not foreigners, in what case will they have to move the foreigners tribunals?”
Replying to a question from a reporter, Gogoi squarely blamed it on the AAMSU for the delay in the NRC update work, and said: “The AAMSU was involved in the incident at Barpeta that led to the halt on the NRC pilot project. It’s for AAMSU NRC update has been delayed in the State.”
APCC president Ripun Bora, who was also present at the press meet, said: “Speaking orders should be given to those found ineligible for inclusion in the final NRC instantly so as to let them move foreigners tribunals (FTs). The government should spell out a time-bound period for all to get speakers orders. We welcome the extension of time for moving FTs up to 120 days against 60 days earlier. However, since when will the countdown of the 120 days begin? Is it after getting the speaking orders or from August 31, 2019 when the final NRC was published? Dispur has to clear it. Only 300 of the 1,000 FTs in the State are functioning. As to how will the cases of over 19 lakh people be disposed of in such a short period? The government should take steps to make that happen.”
CLP leader Debabrata Saikia was also present at the press meet.