In a fresh attempt to defuse tension, the Centre on Thursday has advised the Assam government not to take any police and administrative action based on the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC).
"No action should be initiated by the administration or the police based on the draft NRC. There is no question of referring the persons, whose names do not figure in the draft NRC to the Foreigners Tribunal, as people are entitled to file claims and objections and due opportunity has to be given to them before final publication," official sources said.
"The question of referring any person to a detention centre based on the NRC exercise also does not arise. The State government has been asked to issue clear instructions in this regard to all administrative and police functionaries," sources added.
With less than six days left for publication of the final draft, the Centre also asked the Assam government and neighbouring states to ensure maintenance of law and order in the run-up to and post-publication of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC), sources said.
The Government of Assam has been advised to set up a state-level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to ensure coordination among the state agencies, NRC authorities and Central agencies. Round-the-clock control rooms at the State capital and district headquarters are to be activated to receive complaints and coordinate prompt response, official sources said.
