Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the process of documenting and validating the National Register of Citizens will be carried out across the country. He was speaking on the issue of NRC in Assam on Wednesday said in the Rajya Sabha.
“The NRC exercise was monitored by the Supreme Court. It was implemented on its recomendations and hence no religion has been targeted or isolated during the NRC exercise,” he said. The Home Minister also informed the house that the government will provide asylum to people of all religions. He stressed that the exercise of NRC will be carried out in the entire country.
Speaking on the issue of name not being in the list, the HM said that people can approach the tribunal and the cost of the lawyer and legal fees will be borne by the Assam government for those who cannot afford it. “No one, irrespective of religion should be worried. It is just a process to get everyone under the NRC. People whose names have not figured in the draft list have the right to go to the Tribunal. Tribunals will be constituted across Assam. If any person does not have the money to approach Tribunal, then Assam govt to bear the cost to hire a lawyer”, the HM informed the house.
Safety of the people of J&K is the government’s priority: HM Amit Shah
Home Minister spoke of the situation in Kashmir after several Congress leaders riased the issue in the house. Amit Shah said that the government will restore Internet connection in Kashmir as soon as the local administration feels it is fit to do so. He said that due to threats from across the border, the situation remains tense and everything will be normal in due course.
“As we all know, the situation in Kashmir remains tense due to threats from across the border. As far as internet is concerned, its restoration will be carried out at an appropriate time on administration inputs,” he said. HM also rejected charges made by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on measures taken in Kashmir. He said that the safety of the people is the government’s priority. “:I agree that internet services are a necessity today but when it comes to the question of national security, the safety of the people of J&K and our fight against terror is our top most priority. Hence we need to prioritize our necessities likewise”, he said.
No Civilian Killed in Kashmir Since 5th August: HM Amit Shah
Amit Shah replied to queries on a timeline to restore complete normalcy in Kashmir said that the situation is already normal and all activities are going on as usual. He said, “The situation is already normal. Schools and colleges are open, the apple industry is recovering well and normal life has resumed in every way possible in the Valley.” He cited government data on school attendance and laid to rest the false news of abysmal attendence in schools.
He further said that it was due to the measures taken that not a single civilian has been killed after the decision was taken to abrogate Article 370 and reorganise the state as a Union Territory on August 5th. “Not a single civilian has died in police firing since August 5 in Jammu and Kashmir. There has been a dip in the incidents of stone pelting. All newspapers are in circulation and all TV channels are running and all banks are operational in Kashmir,” said HM Amit Shah.
