"Discussion with all Stakeholders of Society is Needed to Avoid Isolation Ahead of NRC Publication" : Former DG

Guwahati, August 16, 2019:

As the date for publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is due on August 31, former DG of Assam, Pallav Bhattacharya has expressed concern over certain issues that created a panic situation in Assam.

Speaking exclusively with InsideNE, he said that the people of Assam have always been known for their ‘unity in diversity’. “The strength of Assamese community is that we always give precedence to unity at various points of time.” He cited the example of the recent incident when some people were sent from lower Assam to Jorhat for their re-verification of NRC.

He added, “If we see the run-up to the final draft of NRC, so many things have taken place. There are certain groups who are trying to present this process in a different manner is a problem.” The row of Miya Poetry that has come up is considered to have created some sort of dissension among some people by the former DG.

Also Read : Assam: FIR Filed Against Miya Poets for Creating Communal Divide

He said, “The Miya Poetry also got publicity in the various news agencies like Al Jazeera."

He suggested that the dissension among different communities in different places of Assam should be considered very crucially by the administrators at this point of time.

“There are certain apprehensions among different sections of people in between this the Miya poetry came up at this point of time which should not have been. It is because there is certain apprehension from some groups,” he added.

Adding that there is a need to cope with the isolation caused by this sort of dissensions among different communities of the society, he added, “We should have a discussion with all the stakeholders which includes different community people like the Bengalis, Muslims, etc. who are feeling apprehensive.”

Moreover, Bhattacharya mentioned that the authorities should bank on the strength of the Assamese people that have helped the people to survive for so many years. He added that after the publication of the final draft NRC, that road- map for the future needs to be chalked out so that the Assam police can tackle the situation. He also urged the civil society to actively participate in it for which a certain level of discussion is going on.

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