No one will be allowed to be harassed: Rajnath on NRC update

New Delhi, July 22: Asserting that every individual must get justice in the process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation in Assam, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said there is no reason for panic and fear as no persons will be allowed to be harassed.

In a statement, the Home Minister said that the state government has been asked to ensure that law and order is maintained and no one is allowed to take law into their hands and all possible arrangements are made to ensure safety and security for all.

He also assured that the Centre will provide all necessary help to the state government in this regard. NRC is being updated in Assam in accordance with the Assam Accord signed on August 15, 1985.

The entire process is being carried out as per directions of the Supreme Court who is constantly monitoring the process.

“I will like to assure everyone that the NRC exercise is being carried out in a totally impartial, transparent and meticulous manner and will continue to be so. At every stage of the process, adequate opportunity of being heard is given to all persons. The entire process is being conducted according to law and due procedure is being followed,” said Mr Singh.

All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for all remedies available under the law, he added.
Further he said, the government wants to make it clear that the NRC to be published on July 30 is only a draft.

After draft publication, adequate opportunity for claims and objections will be available. All claims and objections will be duly examined, he added.

Adequate opportunity of being heard will be given before disposal of claims and objections. Only thereafter, final NRC will be published.

The Citizenship Rules provide that any person who is not satisfied with the outcome of claims and objections can appeal in the Foreigner’s Tribunal.

Thus, there is no question of anyone being put in a detention centre after the publication of NRC, said the minister.