Ahead of final NRC draft publication Assam CM reviews law and order situation

At the meeting, Sonowal took stock of the measures to tackle any law and order problem that might arise following publication of the final draft- a highly sensitive issue in the state.

Assam is going to witness a momentous event on July 30 as the final draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be published supposedly containing the names of all bona fide Indian citizens.

The first draft of the updated NRC included the names of 1.90 crore people out of a total 3.29 applicants from Assam recognising them as legal citizens of India. However, the list sparked off a huge controversy as it allegedly included many questionable names and also excluded many Indian citizens.

The Assam CM had ordered the DCs and SPs to maintain peace in their districts and  take adequate measures to tackle any eventuality.

Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia, Home Commissioner of  the Assam government LS Changson, state NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela and other top officials of  the Assam police and the state home department were also present in the meeting.

Sonowal said, “With the help of the people of Assam, we want to maintain peace and tranquillity in the districts of Assam. The NRC draft will be published as per the Supreme Court's directive passed on July 30 and this should be a historic moment for the people of Assam."

" To make NRC a reality, the people of Assam have extended their wholehearted support and  cooperation. We are grateful to the people of Assam that they have always been cooperative. We are hopeful, everybody going to participate in this particular noble endeavour,” Sonowal said.

Sonowal further said that nobody needs to be panicked if their names do not appear in the final draft as opportunities for claims and objections will be provided to them.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)