Govt will talk about the NRC after Covid pandemic is over: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a span of peace is required after violent clashes along the Assam-Mizoram border last month. He said that the state government will talk about the National Register of Citizens (NRC)after COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Talking to media persons in New Delhi, he said, “There is a need for a span of peace. Some time will be required to heal, then we have to take up confidence building measures. Both sides are talking and we continue to do so.”

Asked if Assam-Mizoram was discussed during the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, he said, “Prime minister has been constantly in touch ever since the clashes. He said that such incidents cause pain to the country. The joint statement of Assam and Mizoram is guided by the aspirations of the Prime minister and peace will be maintained.”


When asked if there was some problem with Meghalaya pertaining to the border recently, he said, “Incidents do take place however we need to look for a solution. We are discussing with Meghalaya and we are hopeful that the border dispute will be solved.”

In resolving the border row Assam and Meghalaya have resolved to be guided by historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, willingness and the overall sense of the people's sentiments and contiguity.

Sarma said, “We have asked our advocates to request the Supreme Court that Assam will pursue NRC after the pandemic is over.”

NRC is caught in a logjam as issuance of rejection slips to those left out of the final register has not started yet, as the NRCauthorities have asked officers in the different districts to verify the speaking orders for in several cases the authorities have found anomalies.

The final NRC published in August 2019 found a total of 3,11,21,004 people eligible for inclusion in the registry, leaving out 19,06,657 people.