Assam Groups demand release of final NRC after SC upholds key citizenship cut-off date

Guwahati, Nov 2: Following the Supreme Court’s October 17 decision to uphold Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Coordination Committee Against Citizenship Amendment Act, Assam (CCACAAA), has called on the Registrar General of India (RGI) to release the final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC). The most recent version of the NRC was released on August 31, 2019, but the final list remains unpublished.

The Supreme Court’s decision affirmed the constitutionality of Section 6A, an amendment added to the Citizenship Act in 1985 as part of the Assam Accord. This section sets March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying foreign nationals in Assam, a key measure from the Assam Accord that was signed after a six-year anti-foreigner movement to protect Assamese citizens’ rights and identity.

In a letter to the RGI, CCACAAA chairman Dr. Hiren Gohain and chief coordinator Deben Tamuly urged the immediate release of the final NRC, emphasizing that the update was a major undertaking. They noted that the process, anchored in the March 25, 1971, cut-off date, involved 26,000 state employees and cost approximately ₹1,600 crore. Despite this extensive effort, the final list remains unpublished, and rejection slips have not been issued, which they attributed to objections raised in the Supreme Court by certain organizations, including the state government, seeking re-verification in certain areas. These objections, however, were dismissed by the Court.

With the recent Supreme Court decision affirming Section 6A, CCACAAA leaders argued that there is now no legal basis for withholding the final NRC. They expressed confidence that the publication would be broadly welcomed across Assam, barring politically motivated opposition. “We request you to publish it without any further delay,” they concluded, stressing the importance of transparency and the need to honor a longstanding commitment to the people of Assam.

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

MoU with Assam: 5 villages to be brought under Meghalaya: Paul

Shillong, June 28: Five new villages will be brought...

PIL challenges system of issuing ST certificates

Shillong, June 28: The Meghalaya High Court on Friday...

Rain museum at Mawnsynram

Shillong, June 28: A rain museum will be built...

Cherry Blossom Festival bags gold awards

Shillong, June 28: Meghalaya’s biggest tourism festival, Shillong Cherry...

2 HNLC cadres surrender after 15 months with outfit

Shillong, June 28: Disillusioned with the proscribed HNLC’s stated...

Conrad Sangma hails strength of the youth in building their faith

North East Catholic Convention in Kohima unites thousands in...

Govt asks admin to ensure maintenance of status quo 

Resolving border dispute priority of both Meghalaya & Assam...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img