Assam: Documents of 98,683 married women to be verified in Hailakandi

Addressing a Press Meet at his office chamber here today, Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, Adil Khan said the panchayat certificates submitted by married women as proof of citizenship will be verified. The Gauhati High Court in its judgement had ruled the panchayat certificate as having no statutory sanctity. But the Supreme Court set aside the verdict in December last year and said the certificate could be used to claim inclusion in the NRC subject to verification.

“The authenticity of the documents will be cross-checked with the married women given the opportunity to present their case,” quipped Khan.  Each married woman would be called to the gram panchayat from where she had obtained her domicile certificate.

For completion of the entire process, 110 special verification officers will be engaged. The Gaon Panchayat Secretaries as issuing authority will also be present. 40 venues have been selected for this purpose.

Expressing his gratitude to the people of Hailakandi district for their support and cooperation in the NRC updation exercise, Deputy Commissioner Khan said, “I appeal to them for their continued cooperation for paving the way for an error free NRC within specified time frame.”

Khan also requested the media to dispel any apprehension regarding the NRC updation exercise.

Terming the whole exercise as fair and transparent, Khan said the genuine Indian citizens need not have to worry at all regarding the verification process.

The Deputy Commissioner said as the NRC updation process is being directly supervised and monitored by the apex court, any false propaganda or adverse comments against it may lead to contempt of court.

Khan said his administration is holding community level meetings to create awareness to ensure mass participation in the massive exercise. Adequate security arrangement has been made to prevent any untoward incident, he added.

Superintendent of Police, Mohneesh Mishra was also present on the occasion.