This Can Be A Milestone For A Correct NRC: Prafulla Kumar Mahanta

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Former Chief Minister, AGP leader and signatory of the Assam Accord Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has said that even as the figure of ‘NRC exclusion’ is not convincing for many in the State, this NRC (National Register of Citizens) can be a milestone for a correct one.

Addressing the media in Guwahati on Saturday after the publication of the final NRC, the former Chief Minister said: “This is a historic day when the updated 1951 NRC has been published. It has made me recall my comrades like Lalit Rajkhowa, Nagen Sarma, Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, Dwigen Bora and others. During the Assam Agitation we had raised the demand for NRC update, but the then government had the pretext that the 1951 NRC was not available in all police stations in Assam. Even after the signing of the Assam Accord, negligence on the part of the parties involved didn’t let NRC update a reality. We need to thank the Supreme Court of India, especially Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, those who filed cases in the apex court and the present AASU for such a reality. The Centre and Dispur were compelled by the Supreme Court’s directive to update the NRC. State NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela published the citizenship document by overcoming numerous hurdles. As many as 55,000 government employees had to work selflessly. Now it’s the turn of the Centre to deport every single foreigner from the State. I, however, request the Centre not to introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill again.”

When asked by reporters on the NRC exclusion figure, Mahanta said: “Even as the NRC exclusion figure is not convincing for many, this NRC can be a milestone for a correct one. Many forces, including some sections of the government, made attempts to derail the NRC update exercise. Had there been no intervention from the Supreme Court of India, there would not have been any updated NRC even after 20/30 years hence. Those who criticize the NRC now are the ones who have been demanding NRC in all other States in the country.”

Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said: “As many as 855 agitators had to lose their lives because of the attitude of the then Central government towards the Assam Agitation.”

Also Read: Final NRC Published, 19 Lakh Found Ineligible

Also Watch: BJP (Assam Pradesh) Press Meet in Guwahati