Asomiya Pratidin :Asomiya Pratidin in its 28th June, 2016 issue published a report captioned “ছিপাঝাৰত এন আৰ চি কাম-কাজত চূড়ান্ত বিশৃংখল – তদন্ত দাবী কুৰূৱা ছাত্ৰ সন্থাৰ” wherein large scale forgery alleged to have taken place in NRC updating process in Bazana Pathar Gaon Panchayat NSK. As per the report, the NSK is being run from Sipajhar CDPO’s office illegally and in a most chaotic manner. Quoting Kuruwa Anchalik Chatra Santha, the report further alleged that many people of doubtful citizenship from Bazanapathar GP have submitted fake birth certificates issued by Dumunichoki State Dispensary for inclusion of their names in NRC. One Balen Barman, NRC official is alleged to have hushed up the anomalies.
Our Response : Deputy Commissioner (DRCR), Darrang has been asked to cause an immediate enquiry into the alleged anomalies and to submit a factual report of inquiry to the State Coordinator within 4 days from the date of receipt letter from the SCNR. Appropriate action will be initiated on receipt of inquiry report from DC, Darrang.
Amar Axom :Amar Axom in its 12th June, 2016 issue published a report alleging that 2.5 lakhs Gorkhas of Assam are listed as “Outsiders”/“Non Original Residents” and thereby have been deprived of the status of “Original Inhabitants” in the ongoing process of updating of NRC, Assam. Citing comments of Shri Ram Prasad Sharma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), the report further alleged the action to be an insult to the Gorkha Community.
Our Response : The alleged report does not appear to be a factual one as no instance of such occurrence has been brought to the notice of the undersigned by the Hon’ble MP. The State Coordinator, NRC, Assam has not issued any instructions to record such remarks against the Gorkha Community as alleged. The SCNR has already issued a rejoinder to the Editor of Amar Axom refuting the baseless allegation.
Asomiya Khabar & Janasadharan :Asomiya Khabar & Janasadharan in their 16th June, 2016 issues published news items alleging that discontentment prevailed in the wake of not marking certain specific categories of people as “Original Inhabitants in the process of updating of NRC, Assam. The report further alleged that the Verification Teams (VTs) are marking “-” (Dash) sign instead of marking “O.I” against certain communities including the Gorkhas thereby depriving the Gorkha Community and others of the status of “Original Inhabitants”.
Our Response :The process of updating of NRC, Assam is not based on any Community Considerations. Rather, NRC, Assam is being updated on the basis of transparent modalities approved by Govt. and statutory provisions of the Schedule appended to “the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. Marking of “O.I” is also done in accordance with statutory mandate. Provisions of Clause 3(3) of Schedule framed under Section 4A(4) of “the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003” provide that “ The names of persons who are originally inhabitants of the State of Assam and their children and descendants, who are Citizens of India, shall be included in the consolidated list if the citizenship of such persons is ascertained beyond reasonable doubt and to the satisfaction of the registering authority”. Regarding marking of “_” (Dash) sign, in the “Remarks Column” of Verification Team’s Report (VTR), the VTs are to put a ‘-‘ in case none of the three values namely DV(Doubtful Voter), DF (Declared Foreigner) and OI (Originally Inhabitant) is applicable against a member of a family. It is a common practice being followed in such situations and there is nothing to worry about this. The VTR protocol being used in the fields by the VTs has also been cleared by the Judges Committee constituted on NRC by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The report of discontentment allege to have prevailed and ventilated through the Gorkha Students’ Union on the instant issue does not appear to merit any substance.
