Assam NRC draft brings joy and relief to some, worry for others

Over 40 lakh people in Assam have been left out from the the NRC. The second draft of the NRC was published in Guwahati on Monday.

Published on: Jul 30, 2018, 23:26:54 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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Publication of the complete draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam on Monday brought joy and relief to many whose names were in the list and cause for worry to those left out.

People wait to check their names on the draft of the state's National Register of Citizens after it was released, at an NRC Seva Kendra in Tezpur on Monday, July 30, 2018. (PTI)

Shiladitya Dev, BJP MLA from Hojai: While names of his family members were included in the first draft of NRC, the firebrand BJP legislator’s name who is known for his anti-Bangaldeshi stance, was missing. His name is in the complete draft released on Monday. “It’s a welcome step that the complete draft has been published. We have to work harder now to ensure that foreigners are kept out of electoral rolls...,” said Dev

Mohd. Azmal Hoque, Retd junior commissioned officer of Indian Army: Hoque hit headlines in 2017 when he was summoned by foreigner’s tribunal to prove that he was an Indian citizen. Names of Hoque, his two children and his younger brother’s family are missing from Monday’s list. His wife, mother and elder brother’s family are in the list. “It is really sad that even after the foreigner’s tribunal cleared my name, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens,” said Hoque.

Badruddin Ajmal, Lok Sabha MP from Assam: The name of Ajmal, president of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which is in opposition in Assam, was missing from the first draft of NRC released on December 31 last year. His name is in the complete draft. “Names of 40 lakh missing from the draft is not a small thing. But those left out have a chance to file claims. We want an error-free complete NRC list,” he said.

Kisore Nath, BJP MLA from Borkhola: Despite their names in the first draft of NRC, Nath and his six family members were summoned by a foreigners’ tribunal in May to prove his citizenship. “...Our names were in the first draft as well, but since we were summoned by the tribunal, there was some apprehension of being left out,” Nath said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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