NRC Assam: Thousands of re-verification notices issued asking to appear in next 24 hours

Guwahati: In a latest advancement in the Assam NRC process, thousands of people are being sent re-verification notices by the authorities. What has appeared to be more irksome to those people is that they are being asked to appear before the authority to undergo the re-verification in the next 24 hours. With just a few days left for the NRC final list to be released, as was extended by the Supreme Court, the authorities now seem to be not in the mood to waste a single day and hence, the time offered for re-verification too is pretty less in comparison to the previous instances.

Before this, the applicants used to get at least 15 days of time to appear before the authority. With about 25000 re-verification notices being issued this time, for the ones who stay outside their home districts, appearing before the authority in the short span of time may be impossible as well.

The additional deputy commissioner of Kamrup district, Dorthy Suichang has stated that the hearings are part of mopping up exercise. Another officer has stated that they have performed their duty as directed by the National Register of Citizens (NRC) office and they have nothing to say about the short span of time being issued to people.

The directions made in the notices are framed as per NRC state coordinator Hajela’s report to the Supreme Court. Hajela had mentioned it in the report that 27% reverification has already been done in response to the state and Centre’s demand for 20% re-verification in border districts and other districts having unusual population growth.

The people receiving re-verification notice from NRC office has stated their issues and dilemma over meeting the directions. One such person, a resident of Jorhat, says that he has to make it to a distance of 350 kms in the next 24 hours in which he will have to reach Kamrup district from Jorhat. He, having no vehicle, no bus, and no money to make it for the journey, is clueless as to how will he make it reach the specified office on time.

Also read: Read how to get your name on the NRC final list: SC extends the deadline by a month