Guwahati, 16th March. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) has brought clarity, paving the way for the unlocking of biometrics of individuals frozen during the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
During a press conference, Sarma stated, “With the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, a clarity has emerged, and the process to unlock the biometrics of those frozen during the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) can begin.” He further indicated that discussions with stakeholders, including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), would be held to chart a path forward, likely after the elections.
Approximately 27 lakh people in Assam had their biometrics locked, rendering them unable to obtain Aadhaar cards. Sarma assured that efforts were underway over the past two years to dispel doubts regarding the CAA. He reiterated that individuals arriving in Assam after 2014 would not be granted Indian citizenship under the CAA provisions.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the biometrics blockage, particularly in accessing ration cards and employment opportunities, Mr. Sarma expressed his commitment to resolving the matter. He appealed to the public to approach the CAA issue with sound logic rather than emotion.
Sarma emphasized that data captured during the NRC process would facilitate the granting of citizenship through the Foreigners’ Tribunal for those excluded from the list. He estimated that around six lakh people, split evenly between Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, would be eligible for citizenship, contrary to claims circulating in certain quarters.
The NRC, a Supreme Court-monitored exercise, published its final list in August 2019, excluding 19 lakh applicants out of 3.4 crore. The process, initiated to identify illegal immigrants in Assam, has been a contentious issue, particularly concerning Bengali Hindus.
The implementation of the CAA rules will enable the Indian government to grant nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries until December 31, 2014. This includes Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians. Despite protests against the CAA, Mr. Sarma remains optimistic about its implications for Assam’s demographic landscape.
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