Assam publishes first draft of NRC on New Year
The first draft of the much-awaited National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam has finally been published with 1.9cr names. Verification of the remaining 1.39cr applicants is ongoing and will need a few months, officials said. Despite apprehension of disturbance and heavy security, no incidents of violence were reported. "But we'll be watchful for few days," said DGP Mukesh Sahay. Here's all about it.
What is the NRC?
The first NRC in Assam was prepared in 1951 to weed out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants; this is the first time it's being updated. The application process began in May'15. Individuals have to prove links with family members having their name in the original NRC, or in electoral rolls till March 25, 1971. Applications were received from 68.27L families across the state.
NRC updation put Aadhaar on hold in the state
The exercise took place at a slow pace under the Congress regime, but received a push after the BJP came to power. Aadhaar registrations in the state were postponed to complete the NRC updation. The government will launch its first Aadhaar centers only this month.
Heavy security deployment for fear of violence
About 50,000 security personnel were deployed across the state on new year's eve fearing violence after the publication of the NRC at midnight. But there were no such reports till this morning. Officials have said there's no need to panic even if some members of a family are missing from the current list, as verification for the remaining population is ongoing.
How to find out if your name is present
To verify if your name is present in the first draft, visit www.nrcassam.nic.in/ www.assammygov.in/ www.assam.gov.in/ www.homeandpolitical.assam.gov.in. You could send an SMS ["ARN (space) (12-digit ARN)] to 9765556555, 9108464438 or 9108464450, or call the 24x7 helpline at 15107 (Assam) and 18003453762 (outside Assam). Or you could physically visit the NRC centers during 10am-4pm till January 31 on working days.
