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NRC has discrepancies, needs investigation: PVM

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 6 - Alleging that the draft NRC prepared for Assam has some glaring discrepancies that cannot be overlooked, the Prabrajan Virodhi Manch (PVM) today asked the State government to investigate into the matter and take corrective measures.

PVM convenor and senior advocate Upamanyu Hazarika told media persons that the figure emerging out of the NRC, after publication of the second draft on July 30, was far short of the official estimate of the government and that too will be considerably reduced after the claims and objections period.

�In July 2004, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal made a statement in Parliament that there were 50 lakh infiltrators in Assam as on December 31, 2001, and from the statement of another Union Minister Kiren Rijjiju in Parliament on November 16, 2016, we find a figure of 80 lakh infiltrators. In such circumstances, the present data of 40 lakh, to be reduced further, nowhere fits in, even if we look at the government figures,� Hazarika said.

�In the breakup against the State average of the 11.59 per cent exclusion of applicants from the NRC, the percentage of exclusion in border districts is far below the State average, with Dhubri at 7.49 per cent, Karimganj at 7.49 per cent and South Salmara at 7.49 per cent. The decadal growth rate of population in the border districts of Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Karimganj, Nagaon and Morigaon has been far above the State average in the last census. The figures obtained out of the NRC and the unnatural growth of population in such areas needs further investigation and proper explanation from the State authorities,� Hazarika said.

The PVM said that a tribal district like West Karbi Anglong has an exclusion rate of 17.4 per cent, which was far high compared to the above mentioned border districts.

�We also cannot overlook the Supreme Court�s observation expressing concern over the change in demographic composition in the districts bordering Bangladesh. The court had further observed that Assam was facing external aggression and internal disturbance on account of large-scale illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals,� Hazarika said.

The Manch also demanded greater vigilance and care in the NRC exercise in the border districts, suspecting the dominance of the migrant population there.

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