30 lakh people push for inclusion in Assam

An estimated 30 lakh people have filed their claims until December 30 to be included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the final draft of which had left out over 40 lakh applicants due to lack of credible documents. Authorities have also received around 600 objections to the inclusion of names on the list, published on July 30. The deadline to file claims and objection for those who have been left out of the final draft ended on Monday, but NRC officials said they would get the final tally on Tuesday. “On December 31, between 1 lakh and 3 lakh people are expected to file claims,” one of them said. “We are also expecting a quantum jump in the number of objections filed on the last day.” Several organisations have mobilised people to file objections.

A person associated with one such organisation, told ET: “We have mobilised cadres and identified ‘doubtful’ names who have got into the draft NRC. Accordingly, on December 30 and 31, we have filed objections.” The final draft of the Supreme Court monitored NRC had about 2.9 crore names. Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also the chairman of a cabinet sub-panel on NRC, said not much enthusiasm was shown by organisations. “These organisations are otherwise vocal on other issues. These organisations, when such a crucial thing is going on, are busy with other issues … when it came to filing of objections, especially in the border districts, not much enthusiasm was shown.”