NRC Continues Across Barak Valley To Be At The Centre of Controversy

Special Correspondent

SilchaR: Protests by different civil bodies against final list of NRC continue across Barak Valley. They have raised question about the way the names of genuine Indian citizens have been dropped despite all the necessary documents. They are also worried if the 19 lakh left outs would get justice from FTs or will it be another round of mental and physical harassment? In all eventuality, these left outs will go through lot of anxiety and uncertainty after they get speaking order from NRC seva kendras. Shyama Paul, Secretary, Forum for Civil Rights based at Karimganj, at a press-meet on Saturday claimed majority of the people failing to make it to the final list are Indian citizens.

Those enlisted in the final list should be given national identity cards. Shyama Paul said the left outs should be provided necessary legal assistance and guidance. Those without valid documents should be included in NRC on the basis of the 2014 voters’ lists. He quoted proviso 4(k) of the Citizenship Amended Rule 2003 which leaves the onus of proof of being Indian citizens on the person himself. Paul pleaded Indian Evidence Act be applied to decide the cases of the left outs.

Citizens Rights Protection Committee staged a protest demonstration against the wayward functioning of the State Coordinator Prateek Hajela in preparing the final list. Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharya, an important functionary of the Committee, asked if the left outs would get justice from FT process. He demanded reexamination of the documents of all left outs. There should be no discrimination on the basis of caste and creed. He also condemned the move to create division among the left outs on the basis of religion. He dubbed it as ‘politically motivated’.

Dr Bhattacharya made the statement while addressing the members of the CRPC and the media before the statue of Khudiram Bose, the venue of agitation, here. Attempts are also being made to create division among people on the most sensitive issue. But, he cautioned no curtailment of fundamental rights of any individual to defend himself before the law of justice would be tolerated. He called it most unfortunate that many in fear and tension have lost their lives. CRPC hoped when the FT process begins, no one is denied justice.

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