Call for NRC update before 2016 Assembly polls
Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 1 – Calling for time-bound implementation of the Assam Accord, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has opposed the ongoing pilot project for preparation of the National Population Register (NPR), besides urging the Centre to hold the next Assembly election onlyafter the process of update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is completed.
A delegation of AASU today called on the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss about the implementation of the Assam Accord signed in 1985. The delegation comprised president Sankar Prasad Ray, general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi, besides its adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya.
Emerging from the discussion, Bhattacharya said that they have urged the Home Minister to stop the ongoing NPR exercise being carried out in three districts of the State. The AASU delegation also wanted the Centre to complete the NRC update processahead of the 2016 Assembly polls. “Let the NRC update processbe over first and then NPR exercise can be undertaken,” said AASU’s adviser.
“The 2016 Assembly election of Assam should be held only after preparing the updated NRC. We urge you to intervene in the Supreme Court to reduce the time-frame from three years to two years,” a memorandum presented to the Home Minister said.
The Home Minister, while assuring that the Centre was committed to implement the Assam Accord, said he would hold consultation with the RGI regarding their demand.
The AASU delegation also called for a joint ministerial survey of the Indo-Bangladesh border to take stock of the border fencing and roads works. The Minister was positive with the idea and said that he would consult Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and take a final view.
Bhattacharya said that their 10-point charter of demands also includes a demand for issuing shoot at sight order on the Indo-Bangladesh border. The Indo-Bangladesh border should be sealed on a war footing basis, he stressed.
The AASU also demanded that the sub-committee on constitutional safeguard should be revived.
The AASU has demanded that the tripartite talks under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister should be convened to review the implementation of the Assam Accord.
“We are opposed to swapping of Assam’s land with Bangladesh. “We are not convinced that Assam will be benefited by the deal. It should not be imposed on the people of Assam. AASU is determined to oppose any move to transfer Assam’s land to Bangladesh,” he said.
The AASU also demanded that Guwahati Railway Station should be named after the legendary singer and composer Dr Bhupen Hazarika.