Assam Congress demands Legal Aid for Genuine Citizens excluded from NRC

Guwahati, September 15, 2019:

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded legal aid to the genuine citizens who were excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Speaking to the media, Nagaon MP, Pradyut Bordoloi said that the Congress during their sensitization tour found that the maximum number of people excluded from the NRC are the people belonging to the linguistic minorities. Most of the people are very poor and could hardly afford any more expense related to the NRC.

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Bordoloi said, "We demand the government to provide legal aid to these people excluded from the NRC."

He claimed that the BJP is acting like a snake as well as a witch doctor. "They are pushing the people into problems and they are portraying to help them", he added.

He further added that since Congress is not in governance since the past few years, unable to blame the Congress for the errors in the NRC, the BJP is now blaming one of their salaried officials. "But, earlier they were taking credit for the NRC", he added.

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Earlier former minister and current Samaguri MLA, Rockybul Hussain said, “Many genuine citizens have been left out from the NRC and it’s a matter of great concern. We want people who came to Assam before March 1971 and exclude the names who came after the midnight of March 24, 1971.”

He added, "The government should end this issue once and for all."

Hussain further stated, "Earlier when the draft NRC was published and 40 lakh people were excluded, the BJP tried to take credit on the national level by declaring that they have identified 40 lakh illegal migrants from Assam."

“But, after the final one, they have taken a U-turn and are now blaming NRC coordinator for certain errors whereas, it was the state and central government who were actively engaged in the work”, he added.

He further claimed that many people who came to India before 1971 having refugee card and migrant were also excluded from this NRC. Several people have been summoned very long distances for hearings. There are many situations where the people have to Dhubri to Sivasagar or other such places.

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