Final draft of Assam NRC released: 2.9 crore applicants cleared, 40.7 lakh names still missing

Guwahati: The much-anticipated second and final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was published on Monday with 2.9 crore names out of the total 3.29 crore applicants in Assam, according to the Registrar General of India Sailesh. The names of 40.07 lakh applicants did not find a place in the historic document, touted to be a proof of Assamese identity. [caption id=“attachment_4849031” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image. Twitter.[/caption] The first draft of the NRC was published during the intervening night of 31 December and 1 January this year, containing 1.9 crore names. “This is a historic day for India and Assam. The exercise is unparalleled in size. It is a legal process done under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court,” Sailesh said at a press conference. The exercise was carried out in a transparent, fair, objective manner, he stated. The NRC will include the names of all Indian citizens who have been residing in Assam before 25 March, 1971. Talking about people whose names did not appear in the final draft, Sailesh said, “The process for making claims and objections will begin on August 30 and continue till September 28. Adequate and ample scope will be given to people for making objections. No genuine Indian citizen should have any fear.” The application process for the NRC started in May 2015, and a total of 6.5 crore documents were received from 68.27 lakh families across Assam, he added.