Assam groups seek probe into fake citizen racket

GUWAHATI: With allegations of issuing fake citizenship documents to foreigners coming to light, three pressure groups of the state have demanded CBI investigation into the alleged racket. Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM), Sangrami Satirtha Sanmilani (SSS) and Dakshin Paschim Goal Santha (SPGS) stated there is need for probe to ensure that NRC is foreigner free.

PVM convener, Upamanyu Hazarika said, "Detecting foreigners is a big challenge. That is why we are asking for a stringent verification process so that not a single foreigners name in included in the NRC."

Hazarika, a Supreme Court -appointed commissioner in his supplementary report to the apex court recently has pointed out that large-scale racket in procurement of fake certificates is being carried out in connivance with unscrupulous government officials. Three organisations have planned a mass signature campaign. After the pleading of Nodal Officer Prateek Hajela, the Supreme Court has recently agreed to defer the schedule for publication of the NRC, declining to fix a new schedule. It directed that the NRC should be published 'as soon as possible'.