Assam Police sounds high alert following Gauhati High Court directions on NRC

Assam Police ADGP (Special Branch) Pallav Bhattacharya said that, following the High Court judgment, there might be created law and order situation in some areas in the state.

“To check any untoward situation, we have issued direction to all district police to take appropriate measures,” Bhattacharya said.

On Feb 28 last, the Gauhati High Court said in a judgement that, if a panchayat secretary issues such certificate and the same is later disbelieved by the Foreigners Tribunal or High Court and the certificate holder is eventually declared as a foreigner, the issuing authority would run the risk of issuing the certificate to a foreigner.

“Such an act may be construed to be an act of harbouring an illegal migrant, which may amount to a gross misconduct exposing himself to departmental action besides attracting penal consequences. Such consequences may also visit the counter-signing authority (which is the BDO),” the Court order stated.

Following the directive by the High Court, the state NRC office might to recollect new verification certificates from the people of the states.

The state NRC office has received nearly 50 lakh such link documents signed by panchayat secretaries (for rural areas) and circle officer (for urban areas) till date.

The top Assam cops said that, specially we have sounded high alert in Lower Assam, Middle Assam and Barak Valley districts and asked the SPs to take appropriate action to maintain law and order.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)