GOALPARA, Dec 30 - The Goalpara Law College, a premier law institution of lower Assam will extend legal aid free of cost to those genuine Indian citizens whose names are not enlisted in the partial draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) which will be published tomorrow (December 31).
Addressing mediapersons at a press meet held at the Goalpara Law College on Friday, the principal Dr AK Roy said that extending free legal aid is a part of the social responsibility of the college with the objective to help those needy and also to allay the fears and apprehension of these genuine citizens who run the risk of enlisting their names in the draft NRC. He also said that a five-member committee has already been formed under the chairman, vice-principal of the law college Jiten Das and the principal Dr AK Roy as member secretary to look into the genuine grievances and to provide them legal advice free of cost. He further added that the college is taking the help of social media besides creating awareness on different district level forums and organising campaigns informing the public regarding NRC at various places across the district and the college is also planning to hold more legal aid camps especially in sensitive areas after the publication of the partial draft NRC on December 31.
Meanwhile, Jiten Das, the chairman of the committee for dispensing free legal aid to the genuine citizens said that people should not panic in case their names are not published in the partial draft NRC. As there may be discrepancies and only after the process of verification which is currently under way that their names will be enlisted in the draft NRC.
He also mentioned that genuine people do not have to panic with regard to panchayat certificate submitted as a link document, as the document will establish a linkage between the holder of such certificate and the person from whom legacy is being claimed after proper verification of the authorities.
He also urged the people not to be apprehensive regarding the Section 6 (A) of the Citizenship Act amended after the Assam Accord.
He also appealed to all the citizens of the district not to be misled by any rumours floated by people with vested interest and in case of doubt people can always approach the committee for genuine information and necessary clarification.
He also urged all the 25 law colleges located across the State to provide free legal aid to the needy genuine Indian citizens for enlisting their names in the draft NRC.
