NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela Hits Back at MLA Shiladitya Dev

 Guwahati, August 1, 2019:

In the recent controversy over National Register of Citizens (NRC) related issues, Hojai MLA Shiladitya Dev has alleged that NRC State Coordinator, Prateek Hajela has been fulfilling a 'hidden agenda' by including Bangladeshi Muslims in the NRC and excluding Indian refugees.

However, Prateek Hajela in an official statement stated , “It is learnt that Shri Siladitya Dev, MLA, Hojai has held a press meet wherein its alleged that one Declared Foreigner, namely, Abdul Hannan son of late Nimar Ali who is a detenue in a Detention Camp located in Tezpur has been included in Draft NRC. In this regard clarification is hereby issued that this person has not been included in Draft NRC on account of being a Declared Foreigner. The allegation is completely false.”

Addressing a press conference, Shiladitya Dev alleged that a Declared Foreigner, Abdul Hannan, a detenue in a Detention Camp located in Tezpur had been included in NRC draft.

Further, the MLA mentioned that the people who have submitted their document between 1966 to 1971 will be considered as a foreigner. According to Shiladitya, people who have submitted their documents between this period will be considered foreigner as per the Constitution. These people will lose their voter rights, and government jobs and they’ll have to apply for fresh Indian citizenship which will be given after 10 years.”

The NRC State Coordinator further added those who have born in between 1950 to 1981 are Indian citizens but this guideline is not included in the NRC. “Immigrants are being employed in the NRC works and of course these workers have sympathy for these Bangladeshi Muslims,” he added.

Also there have been allegations raised in the Vidhan Sabha Assembly today that Prateek Hajela lacks trust in the State government and also Hajela did not inform the government about the employment of 50,000 workers for carrying out the proceedings of the NRC.

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