Shillong: The Meghalaya People's Committee on Aadhaar has alleged that some government officials are coercing people for Aadhaar enrolment.

"We get several phone calls from places where some officers allegedly threaten people to get themselves enrolled for Aadhaar, failing which they will be deprived of several benefits such as ration among others," committee member Auguster Jyrwa told reporters here.

He, however, told people not to be afraid if they have not enrolled themselves for Aadhaar yet as the Supreme Court has indefinitely extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts, mobile phones, insurance accounts and other such services till the time it gives its verdict on the constitutional validity of the scheme.

Jyrwa said the Centre has stated that if anyone does not an have an Aadhaar card, he will not be deprived of ration.

"Why do these officers threaten people? The committee will hold talks with the government on the matter," he said.

Jyrwa cautioned people against groups that "go around campaigning for Aadhaar, asking money in the name of the committee".

Reverend P.B.M. Basaiawmoit, who is one of the leaders of the committee, also expressed relief after the Supreme Court's ruling on Aadhaar last week. He said many people are worried as March 31 is the deadline for linking mobile numbers and bank accounts with Aadhaar.

"We have been given relief when the Supreme Court said this extension will be till it finally disposes of the Aadhaar case," he said, adding that it will take time for the court to come to a conclusion.

"We thank the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court for this," Basaiawmoit said.

He expressed hope that the final ruling will be in favour of crores of people who do not want Aadhaar.

Basaiawmoit also reminded that the committee had filed two affidavits on behalf of those who want to opt out of Aadhaar due to various reasons.

"This has also been pleaded in the Supreme Court which will come out in the final ruling," he said.

He said Aadhaar has generated a fear psychosis among people.

"In the recent Assembly elections, at Mawkyrwat and Mawkynrew constituencies, hundreds of people did not cast their votes. Aadhaar is not linked to our elector's photo identity card (EPIC)." There are around 1,700 people who wanted to opt out of Aadhaar according to the affidavits filed.

"We urge people not to panic, but to wait for the final decision of the Supreme Court," Rev. K. Pyrtuh, a member of the committee, said.