India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to extend the May 31 deadline for the ongoing process of publishing the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam in the wake of Panchayat Elections, a village level administrative body, in the northeastern Indian state, saying the polls should not become an impediment.
The Apex Court’s division bench comprising Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman was resuming a hearing on the NRC update case in response to a petition filed by the Assam Public Works (APC).
Following issuance of a directive that the remaining work of verification should be completed by May 31, the Apex Court also examined the reports put in by Assam State NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela.
On the other hand, in response to the Assam Government’s affidavit that involvement of government employees in the NRC update process has led to some problems in holding the state’s ensuing Panchayat elections, the Bench directed that one Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) from each district can be provided relief from NRC-related works and engaged in poll duty. Apart from this, no employee engaged in NRC-related works can be relieved.
The Bench posted the matter for further hearing on May 8.
Meanwhile, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leaders, Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday.
They submitted a memorandum to Modi urging him not to go ahead with the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which according to them would drastically impact the economic, socio-cultural life and identity of the people of Assam.
The visiting AGP leaders also reportedly urged the prime minister to seal the Indo-Bangla border.
The AGP is also an ally of the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP Government in Assam.
