Guwahati: The Centre on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness of the Assam government for publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The NRC, seen as a solution to the long-standing problem of foreigners, is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Its final draft was supposed to be published by June 30 but the date was postponed to July 30 because of floods.
The meeting in New Delhi was attended by Assam chief secretary T.Y. Das, director-general of police Kuladhar Saikia and special DGP (special branch) Pallav Bhattacharyya, among others.
Sources said the Centre asked Assam to take all possible measures to maintain law and order during publication of the complete draft NRC.
"The meeting reviewed the steps we are taking to maintain law and order. The Centre has already given us additional forces and said it would send more if needed," Saikia told reporters after the meeting.
He said Assam police would be able to handle the law and order-related situations during publication of the final draft NRC as they have additional forces, have deployed police in proper places and have people's cooperation. He said people taking law in their hands would be sternly dealt with.
The Centre had earlier sent 80 companies of paramilitary forces to Assam and agreed to send additional 100 companies following the Assam government's request.
The data entry work for the complete draft NRC will be completed on July 10, quality check by circle registrars will be finished by July 20 and consolidation of central database and generation of PDF of the NRC draft will be over by July 26. Besides, the NRC authority will have to take print out of the draft NRC by July 29 to make them available at NRC seva kendras.
The part draft NRC comprising 1.9 crore applicants, out of total 3.29 crore applicants, was published on December 31, 2017.
Guwahati police commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath told reporters that they have taken "all possible measures" for security of NRC Assam coordinator Prateek Hajela - in his office, residence and while on the move. Hajela had "indicated" in the Supreme Court on July 2 that he needed additional security for discharge of NRC-related duties.
