Darjeeling: BJP MP Denies Exclusion of 1Lakh Gorkhas from NRC

DarjeelingMP Raju Bista on Monday dismissed the claims of exclusion of one lakh Gorkhasfrom the final list of National Register of Citizens' (NRC) in Assam.

In apress statement issued by Raju Bista, it said that all the talk about 1 lakhGorkhas being left out of NRC is a mere speculation and has no basis on facts. "Thisfigure is pure speculation on the part of a few individuals and the finalfigures of how many have been left out etc. will only be determined after a fewdays when we have official figures in hand," said Bista in the statement.

The BJPMP further said that he is closely monitoring the situation and is in touchwith party leadership in Assam and Delhi and with all the important NGOs andstudents' unions that are working for the welfare of Gorkhas in Assam.

A fewpolitical parties are spreading misinformation and attempting to mislead thepeople in order to gain some political millage out of it. The same people whohave jeopardized the future of Gorkhas in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooarsare trying to create a similar situation in Assam. Bista requested them not topoliticize this issue.

Bistafurther pointed out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the Gorkhacommunity during his speech at Kalimpong that the Gorkhas would be protected atall costs. Former home minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief MinisterSarbananda Sonowal have also assured that Indian Gorkhas have nothing to worryabout.

Bistaalso said that implementation of NRC in Assam is being conducted under thestrict supervision of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and therefore, thosegenuine Indians whose names have been left out of the final NRC will be givenadequate time and opportunities to have their cases redressed.

The BJPMP also requested to be patient and to wait for proper information to be declaredofficially rather than to allow people with vested interests to createconfusion, panic and disorder.