Update National Register of Citizens, demands pro-talk NDFB

Guwahati: The pro-talk faction of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland today demanded updation of the National Register of Citizens in Assam. Gobinda Basumatary, general secretary of NDFB(P) which is holding negotiations with the government for many years now said that this should be done keeping 1951 as the base year instead of 1971 fixed by the government.[caption id=“attachment_1321619” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Affected by ethnic violence. PTI[/caption] “As per our calculations, 70-80 lakh foreigners came illegally into Assam between 1951 to 1971. So updating the NRC as per the 1971 census will be completely wrong,” Basumatary claimed. Asked about the progress in talks with the government, he said it was being held for many years now, but no solution has emerged so far. Criticising violence by the anti-talk IK Songbijit group, he said, “We do not support their acts at all. If reports are to be believed, they are indulging in rampant extortion, kidnapping and killing of innocent people.” Stating that acts by the rival faction could not be termed a revolution, he said, “Revolution should be carried out on ideology. But their actions are completely unwanted.” PTI