GUWAHATI, June 12 � The Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, a conglomerate of indigenous communities of the state, has expressed concern over the ongoing updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying that the exercise would only ensure citizenship for 70-odd lakh illegal migrants staying in the state besides facilitating dual citizenship for 1.5 crore both legal and illegal citizens.
In a statement, the Mahasangha said that the indigenous communities of Assam would be reduced to a meagre 12-15 per cent following completion of the NRC update process.
� The NRC update is not going to serve the interests of the state�s indigenous groups, as it will ensure citizenship rights for 70 lakh illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Nepal and also provide dual citizenship to those from other Indian states who have settled in Assam. This will totally marginalise the indigenous communities who will end up losing their political power. Moreover, the Constitution of India does not provide for any dual citizenship,� it said.
The Mahasangha also pointed out that nowhere in India (in any other state) had any NRC update exercise been ever taken up and there is no plan, whatsoever, to have the NRC update in other states in the coming days. The Mahasangha urged the Centre to free Assam of illegal migrants �in the real sense of the term.�
