The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a list prepared by the government of India to separate illegal immigrants from legitimate citizens of Assam. The first draft released contained 1.9 crore names, which verified the legitimacy of the citizens. The panel rejected the claims of over 40 lakh applicants, declaring them non-citizen of Assam.
Here are the 9 facts you need to know:-
1. What is the NRC?
NRC is record of all legal citizens of a state. The first NRC was conducted in 1951 following the census held in the same year. To the uninitiated, it’s the list of all houses, alongside the names and number of people residing in them, and their assets. Records of the same were initially stored in the offices of Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers, but in the 1960s all those records were transferred to the police.
2. Why is Assam updating its NRC list?
The genesis of this exercise lies in local politics. In the 1980s, there were demands from leaders of indigenous communities to update the list following reports that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were entering the state in droves, culminating with the signing of the famous Assam Accord on August 15, 1985. The apparent threat to indigenous cultures and changes to the state’s demographic profile were highlighted as reasons.
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3. With the matter in court for decades, the Supreme Court on December 17, 2014, finally delivered a judgment which outlined the timeline on which Assam should update and publish its NRC.
4. Eligibility criteria for insertion in the NRC list
The State government set March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date to identify those who immigrated into Assam unlawfully from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan).
People can track their names in the 1951 NRC or the electoral rolls up to 1971. If they cannot find their names in the electoral rolls, applicants must furnish other documents like land tenancy records, certificates of permanent residence and passports, among others to prove they aren’t illegals.
5. Document verification
Apart from Aadhar card, ration card and other verification details. Legacy data document is also needed.
6. The man behind the NRC mission
The entire exercise was the handiwork of Hajela and his team of 68,000 officials, including government officials, contractual workers and specialists who ran the NRC Secretariat in Guwahati and 2,500 Nagrik Seva Kendras (NSKs) across the state.
7. If your name is not in the list
NRC State Coordinator has made it amply clear that those who cannot find their names in the final list can reach out to their respective NSKs and submit an application form to file their claim.
These forms will be released at various NSKs on August 7. People, meanwhile, can file their claims anytime between August 30 and September 28.
Unfortunately, there is very little clarity from the state or Centre about what happens to illegal immigrants. Will the government deport them? No one knows for sure. Also, what happens to those who have voter ID cards, but are not named in the NRC list?
For Assam residents: Check your name in State NRC final draft on the official website www.assam.gov.in. Once fed with the required details, an image will appear. After clicking on the image, one can find out if his/her name is mentioned in the list.
9. Where to find your name in the NRC list
1. Check your name in the NRC draft online: The draft of NRC is available online at- nrcassam. nic.in, www.assam.mygov.in, www.assam.gov.in, www.homeandpolitical.assam.gov.in, www.draftnrcassam.com, www.nrcdrafts.com, www.draftnrc.com, www.assamnrcdraft.com, www.nrcassamhearing.in
2. Visit the nearest NSK: You can check your name in the printed NRC draft. The drafts are available at the NRC Seva Kendras (NSK). The names could be checked between 10 am to 4 pm between July 30 to September 28.
3. Call 24X7 toll-free helpline number:15107 from Assam and 18003453762 (All India) to know your details in the NRC draft.
4. Check your name through SMS: Register your mobile number by sending the SMS- ARN space ARN number to 9765556555 /7899405444/ 7026321133 or 7026861122. Your NRC details will be sent to you via SMS.