National Register of Citizens (NRC) authority preparing affidavit on illegal entries

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The NRC (National Register of Citizens) authority is collecting the actual number of illegal entries into the final NRC which was published on August 31, 2019. Meanwhile, on the basis of the already collected data in this regard, the NRC authority has started preparing an affidavit which will be submitted to the Gauhati High Court.

The State NRC authority will have to submit the affidavit within three weeks from the date of the High Court order issued on October 19, 2020.

These crucial steps have been initiated after the High Court gave a direction in connection with a case (Writ Petition-Civil 3187/2020). The High Court had directed the State NRC Coordinator to "file a comprehensive affidavit and bring on record the situations along with necessary particulars, whereby inroads into the NRC may have been created by individuals who are undeserving and not legally entitled to be included in the NRC. The affidavit would not be confined to Nalbari district alone, but also of other districts as well".

In the latest instance, the Gauhati High Court has found that a woman, RahimaBegam alias RahimaKhatun of Nalbari district, made it to the NRC when the case regarding the status of her nationality was being heard in a Foreigners Tribunal (FT). Significantly, the FT declared her a foreigner later.

When asked, State NRC Coordinator Hitesh DevSarma said, "We can't quote the exact number. We'll file the affidavit in the Gauhati High Court within the stipulated time."

Meanwhile, reliable sources have claimed that while lakhs of illegal entries took place in the final NRC, names of many eligible persons were not included.

Of the illegal entries in the final NRC, the sources referred to 'Doubtful Voters' (D Voters), 'Declared Foreigners', persons whose cases are pending in FTs (Foreigners Tribunals); and also of the descendents of all the above three categories.

Mentionably, the 'Original Inhabitants (OI) of Assam find automatic entry into the NRC.

However, sources also stated that several illegal entries have been noticed as 'OIs' of Assam. This has been possible only by forging of documents.

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