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AUDF levels charge against State Govt

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, March 12 � Adding a new twist to the ongoing controversy, Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), today alleged that the special provisions in the controversial November 9 notification were inserted in consultation with Assam Government.

This was claimed by AUDF president Badruddin Ajmal, who alleged that special clauses were put in the amended Citizenship (Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rule, 2003 vide notification dated November 9, last year at the behest of the State Government.

Ajmal claimed that it was revealed by Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, when they called on him this afternoon.

He said a special Clause 4 (A) was inserted at the suggestion of Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi. Under the rule for the rest of the country, house-to-house enumeration would take place, while in case of Assam, residents have to apply furnishing all the necessary details.

Further, the provisions in the amended notification specified that voter�s list prior to 1971 i.e. rolls of 1966 be considered, while establishing citizenship. It was alleged that this was also inserted at the behest of the Chief Minister, alleged Ajmal.

These two clauses are a deviation in the amended Rule and made applicable in case of Assam only, said Hafiz Rasheed Choudhury.

He further said that the tripartite meeting convened by the Prime Minister had arrived at a consensus to consider March 25 1971 as the cut-off date for establishing citizenship status.

In the Lok Sabha last week, the Ministry of State for Home, M Ramachandran confirmed having provided special provisions as to the manner of preparation of National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) in Assam based on relevant records.

In reply to a question by Badruddin Ajmal, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that these rules have been framed keeping in view the Citizenship Act, to enable the preparation of NRC in Assam.

�Applications would be invited from all the residents, for collection of specified particulars relating to each family and individuals, residing in a local area in the State including the citizenship status based on the National Register of Citizens 1951 and relevant records,� the Minister said.

The Government of Assam has also been asked by the Centre to prepare two pilot projects based on updated National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) 1951.

The Ministry of State for Home Affairs, said that the special provision as to the manner of preparation of NRIC in Assam based on relevant records was as per the amended Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2009.

Meanwhile, Coordination Committee of Linguistic and Religious Minority Organisations of Assam, a body of 18 organisations today staged demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding scrapping of the notification.

A delegation of the Coordination Committee led by Ajmal also called on Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, Union Law Minister, M Verrappa Moily and Union Home Minister. The delegation had yesterday called on the Prime Minister.

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