The much-awaited second and final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) was released online and in all the NRC Sewa Kendras (NSK) across the state at 10 am on Monday.

NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela, Registrar General Sailesh and Satyendra Garg, joint secretary (NE) with the Ministry of Home Affairs presided over a press conference after releasing the list.

Names of around 40 lakh people are not there in the list, the officials informed the media. “2,89,83,677 out of 3.29 crore applicants are eligible,” the Registrar said.

The NRC features the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens, who have been residing in the northeastern state before March 25, 1971, he said.

Security has been beefed up across the state to prevent any law and order situation following the publication of the draft, with deputy commissioners and SPs being directed to maintain a strict vigil, a senior police official said here.

Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in seven districts — Barpeta, Darrang, Dima Hasao, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Golaghat and Dhubri.

Vulnerable areas have been identified by the SPs in their respective districts and the situation is being monitored closely to prevent any untoward incident, particularly those arising due to rumour-mongering, the official said.

The Centre has despatched 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces to gear up security in Assam and neighbouring states.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had held a high-level meeting recently on the NRC draft release and directed the officers to remain alert and help and explain the process of claims and objections to people whose names do not appear in the draft.

Sonowal had also directed the officials not to refer any case to the Foreigners’ Tribunal based on the NRC draft list.

Hajela thanked the people for extending their help and co-operation along with all the officers and employees involved in updating the NRC for their hard work and dedication.

He too pointed out that there would be enough scope for claims by people whose names do not appear in the draft, adding “genuine citizens should not panic if their names fail to figure in the document”.

If a person’s name does not appear in the draft, they have to apply in prescribed forms in their respective NSKs. These forms will be available from August 7 to September 28 and the authorities will then inform them the reason for their names being left out.

The next step will be to file the claim in another prescribed form which will be available from August 30 to September 28 and these claims will be finally disposed of after proper hearings.

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has taken a special initiative to set up a 24-hour control room at its central office here to help people.

The applicants can also call 24×7 toll free numbers–15107 from Assam and 18003453762 from outside Assam– by referring to their 21-digit Application Receipt Number (ARN).

The applicants can also check their names by visiting the NRC website and through SMSs.

The NRC is being updated under the Supreme Court supervision with 24 March 1971 as the cut-off date for genuine Indian citizens in Assam.

The first draft of the ongoing NRC process was released at the midnight of December 31, 2017. It comprised 1.9 crore names out of the total application of 3.29 crore people in Assam.

On Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had tweeted that no Indian citizen will be left out of the list.

I reiterate that no genuine Indian citizen will be devoid of their citizenship rights. So no one should panic after publication of the final draft of NRC. I also urge people not to make any communal statements and remain watchful against falling prey to rumours.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 29, 2018

52 Bangladeshis handed over to authorities of their country

Altogether 52 Bangladeshi nationals who were in detention camps in Assam were handed over to the Bangladesh authorities today at the international border, officials said.

The 52 Hindus and Muslims, who had been detained since 2012, included five women and four children, officials of South Salmara-Mankachar district said.

The Bangladeshis were sent through Sahapara BSF Border Outpost at Mankachar in the presence of Assam Police DIG (Border) Rounak Ali Hazarika, South Salmara-Mankachar district Deputy Commissioner Ateka Sultana and other officials.

Officials of Bangladesh government was also present at the spot.

(With inputs from agencies)