GUWAHATI, Nov 23 � Opposing any changes in the existing format of the NRC form, the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and 25 other indigenous organizations allying with it on the issue, today asked the State Government to start updating the document simultaneously in all parts of the State.
The organizations also opposed the proposal of house to house enumeration for updating the NRC. The proposal was mooted by the Government at the meting of these organizations with the State�s group of ministers constituted for the purpose, here today.
�The form, in its existing format is very simple and fault-free and there is no need to simplify it further. Instead, the government can take steps to explain its clauses in a simple manner to common people for their better understanding,� AASU advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya said while addressing the media here.
He further said that some of the changes in the form suggested by the government � like omitting the part asking for the place of birth of the applicant � are not acceptable.
Bhattacharyya also added that simplifying the form further would serve the interests of the foreigners illegally staying in Assam. Completely rejecting any idea to start a new NRC, the representatives of the indigenous bodies said that the existing NRC should be updated on the basis of legally valid documents.
�In today�s meeting, we asserted that government should give a definite time frame for updating the NRC. The proposal of updating the register in 70 constituencies in two phases and the rest of the constituencies in the third phase would further delay the process, which is not acceptable,� Bhattacharyya said.
The AASU advisor reiterated that postponing the pilot project for updating NRC in Barpeta and Chaygaon after a violent movement by the All Assam Minority Students� Union (AAMSU) was not a right decision on the part of the State Government.
�We want a written copy, incorporating all the details of the proposals given by the State government in today�s meeting. The indigenous bodies would then be able to examine the proposals thoroughly and spell out their stands on the issue,� he said.
Members of the indigenous bodies also said that the people of tea tribes living in Assam are a part of the greater Assamese society and there won�t be any difficulty in incorporating their names in the NRC.
