GUWAHATI, July 29 - In view of the publication of final draft of NRC tomorrow, a meeting of all political parties was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara here today.
The representatives of the political parties, while taking part in the meeting highly praised the initiative of the Chief Minister for holding the meeting and unanimously made an appeal to the people of the State to maintain peace and harmony on the aftermath of the publication of the final NRC draft. The meet also agreed to continue extending whole-hearted support to the authorities concerned in the preparation of an error-free NRC.
The meet appealed to the people not to panic as all genuine applicants would get ample time for claims and objections. The political parties also agreed to extend necessary legal aid to the genuine applicants whose names would be missed out and not to deprive them of any constitutional and other legal facilities. Moreover, they would not be sent to detention camps also.
Chief Minister Sonowal, addressing the meet said that the first draft of the NRC was published in the State in a very peaceful environment and appealed to the people of Assam to maintain the same environment on the aftermath of publication of the final draft. He highly appreciated the role of the people of Assam in successfully completing such a Herculean task under direct supervision of the Supreme Court of India and active role of the RGI as well as joint cooperation of the Central and State governments. He also congratulated the people of the State for this feat and appreciated the role of 55 thousand officials of the government for their committed service.
Stating that all political parties and people of the entire State must work hand in hand at every stage of NRC updation in the future, he said that no one would be treated as a foreigner till the final updation of the NRC. The Chief Minister called upon the political parties to work with the �Team Assam� spirit. He also said that the Central and State governments have, time and again, assured the people not to panic and categorically stated that the government would provide all necessary support in filing claims and objections to genuine applicants.
Stating in unequivocal terms that the government would not tolerate any communal and inflammatory remarks on the NRC, the Chief Minister urged the people to work jointly to thwart all evil designs of divisive forces and to maintain age-old unity and harmony. He also requested the public representatives to take this message to the people. He also expressed the view that the all-party meet would send a positive message to the people of Assam.
The representatives of the political parties, while appreciating the initiative of the Chief Minister, also lauded the efforts taken up by the government for generating awareness on the NRC updation process. The representatives also assured that they would continue their cooperation with the government in the entire process and also made certain important suggestions, prominent among them are � extending the time limit for filling claims and objections, free legal aid to poor people, and convening special camps for submission of claims and objections.
State Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his speech, called upon the political parties to work unitedly with the government in this historic endeavour.
Representatives of the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Asom Gana Parishad, AIUDF, NCP, CPI(M), CPI, BPF, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(ML) and representatives of Karbi Anglong as well as NC Hills Autonomous Councils were present in the meeting.
