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Strict action against troublemakers: CM

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Aug 4 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today warned that no one would be allowed to create trouble in Assam on the issue of publication of the complete draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). On the other hand, he congratulated the people of the State on maintaining peace and tranquillity. Sonowal also assured that the State and Central governments would keep extending full support to the process till the final NRC is published.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Chief Minister asserted that strong action, as per the provisions of the law, would be taken against anyone who tries to create trouble in the State. He said that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) team was prevented from entering the State as it was apprehended that their visit would create tension in the aftermath of the remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the publication of the draft NRC.

Sonowal said that the Centre is also fully aware of the actions and comments of the West Bengal Chief Minister. �We are committed to updating the NRC and no one will be allowed to create trouble in Assam. The people of Assam want to live peacefully and the State Government will not allow anyone to create confusion and tension,� he asserted.

The Chief Minister pointed out that prior to the publication of the complete draft of the NRC, certain sections of people had tried to launch a propaganda , both at the national and international levels, that the publication of the draft would lead to tension and violence in the society. But all sections of people of the State have shown tremendous political maturity and no incident of violence has taken place anywhere in the State. �I salute the people of Assam for proving wrong the persons who had been claiming that there would be trouble in Assam after the publication of the draft NRC,� Sonowal said.

On the TMC filing a privilege motion in Parliament against the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Assam for detaining its delegation at the Silchar airport, the Chief Minister assured that the State Government would give full support to the officers in this regard. �We worked as a team to protect the interests of the State and the Chief Secretary and the DGP cannot be singled out. We took a collective decision not to allow the TMC members to enter the State and we will take the responsibility for the action,� Sonowal maintained.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the NRC update is required for the security of the nation and the people of Assam have also realised the fact. The publication of the complete draft of the citizenship document without any security concerns has been possible due to the wholehearted support and participation of all sections of people. Sonowal said that genuine Indian citizens, whose names have been left out of the draft, are also not worried because adequate opportunities would be given to them to file claims and objections.

Sonowal said that the NRC is being updated through a legal process under the constant monitoring of the Supreme Court, and that the State and Central governments worked as facilitators and followed every direction of the Court. The Chief Minister gave an assurance that the Government would continue to play its role and keep extending full support to the process till the final NRC is published. He also said that though the State has remained peaceful after the publication of the draft, a close watch on the situation is being maintained.

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