Caravan News
NEW DELHI — After the release of NRC Draft list in Assam on Monday and the subsequent uproar on the issue as more than 40 lakh residents of Assam are left out of the list, the Opposition Congress has asked the government to immediately convene an all-party meeting on the issue.
Congress also asked the government to inform the opposition on the proposed steps to ensure that no Indian citizen is left out.
Senior party spokesperson Anand Sharma said there should be no politics over the issue.
“The government must immediately call a meeting of leaders of all parties and should inform about the steps it proposes to take,” he said, adding that it would be proper if the meeting is called tomorrow (Tuesday).
He said till all matters related to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are disposed, people and families should not be separated and the matters be kept in abeyance.
The NRC issue is of international importance as it affects relation with neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh. It also has inter and intra state repercussions, Mr Sharma said.
“Questions have been asked over the methodology being followed in finalising the NRC. It raises question marks on the credibility of the process,” he said.
He also urged the government to remove shortcomings in the entire process and that all issues be settled as per the 1985 Assam Accord signed in the presence former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The problems should sorted out in the ambit of the Assam Accord of 1985, the Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the ruling BJP of trying to identify and isolate people who don’t vote for the party. “They are turning Indian people into refugees in their own country,” Ms Banerjee said at a press meet in Kolkata on Monday after the release of the NRC list in Assam.
“Many people have been identified as foreigners and they are to be sent back. There are many children and women among them… So many Bengalis, Biharis, Hindus, Muslims… they are very much Indians,” said Mamata Banerjee, adding that she was “worried about torture” of those left out.
(With inputs from PTI)
