Koch-Rajbongshi Called 'Bandh' Affects Life in Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar, September 12, 2019:

A bandh which was called by the Koch-Rajbongshi community against the National Register of Citizens (NRC) brought life to a standstill in Kokrajhar district.

Many places such as Kokrajhar, Fakiragram, Gossaigoan, and Salakati were also affected due to the 'bandh'.

Many business establishments as well as schools were shut down due to the 'bandh'.

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The Koch Rajbongshis had earlier called for a bandh amid allegations that around five lakh people belonging to the community have been left out of the final National Register of Citizens (NRC).

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Rajbongshi leader Durlav Chamua, while talking to Inside Northeast, said, “Many indigenous people have been excluded from the last NRC list. We are grief-stricken at how the entire process has been carried out.”

After publication of the NRC, Prateek Hajela, the State Coordinator, NRC said, “A total of 3,11,21,004 persons have been found eligible for inclusion in the final draft, leaving out 19,06,657 persons, including those who did not submit their claims.

It may be mentioned here that the NRC authority has declared that the non-inclusion of a person’s name in the NRC does not amount to his/her being declared a foreigner. Moreover, every individual kept out of the final NRC can appeal to the Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT). The time limit for filing appeals on FTs has been increased from 60 to 120 days.

Not only this, the Government will provide legal aid to those needy people who have been excluded from NRC, through the District Legal Services Authorities. An increased number of FTs are being established at convenient locations.

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