The Home Ministry has advised the Assam government that no action should be initiated by the administration or the police based on the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is to be published on July 30.
“There is no question of referring the persons whose names do not figure in the draft NRC to the Foreigners’ Tribunal as people are entitled to file claims and objections and due opportunity has to be given to them before final publication. The question of referring any person to a detention centre based on NRC exercise also does not arise. State government has been asked to issue clear instructions in this regard to all administrative and police functionaries,” Home Ministry said on Wednesday.
As per directions of the Supreme Court, the Registrar General of India (RGI) is to publish the final list on July 30 to segregate Indian citizens living in Assam from those who had illegally entered the State from Bangladesh after March 25, 1971.
The first draft containing the names of 1.9 crore out of 3.29 crore applicants was published on December 31 last year. The second and final draft is scheduled to be published on July 30.
52 to be deported
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed Parliament on Wednesday that 52 Bangladeshis currently in detention centres in Assam would be deported on July 30.
“The [Bangladesh] government has accepted the identity of these people as its nationals. These 52 people will be deported on July 30 from the Mankachar check-post in Assam,” Mr. Rijiju said.
In the past two years, 39 Bangladesh nationals were deported from Assam. The total number deported in 2013 was 5,234; the figure was 989 in 2014; 474 in 2015 and 308 in 2016.
An official said the persons being deported were not part of the NRC, which certifies the citizens of India and not foreigners.
“Those being deported are not at all connected with the NRC. They are already declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals and are in detention camps. Their nationality verification has been done by Bangladesh which has issued transit documents for them. They entered India with legal documents and might have overstayed, some as recent as three years back,” said the official.
The Ministry has asked the Assam government and neighbouring States to ensure maintenance of law and order in the run-up to, and after publication of, the draft NRC.
“Assam has been advised to set up a State-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to ensure coordination among State agencies, NRC authorities and Central agencies. Round-the-clock control rooms at the State capital and district headquarters are to be activated to receive complaints and coordinate prompt response,” the Home Ministry said.
An intensive public awareness campaign has been launched to disseminate information regarding the NRC process, options available for individuals whose names do not figure in the draft NRC, and the procedure and timeline for filing claims and objections so as to address the concerns of people left out of the draft list, the Home Ministry said.
