Guwahati: Millions of people in North-eastern India could lose their citizenship on Saturday in what could become the biggest exercise in forced statelessness in living memory.
Human rights experts have raised serious concern over the drive against suspected illegal immigrants in the border state of Assam, warning it could create a humanitarian crisis that disproportionately affects Muslims and the region's poorest communities.
Nabarun Guha shuffles uneasily in his chair, signs of worry writ large on his face. The journalist has visited the NRC Sewa Kendra (NSK) twice for hearing after his name did not appear in the interim and final draft, and is uncertain whether he will be able to make it to the final Register of Citizens when it is published on Saturday.
Guha is a grandson of renowned historian, economist and poet of Assam Amalendu Guha and his family has lived in upscale Ulubari locality of Guwahati since 1930. All in the family but Nabarun figure in the draft NRC.
"It really baffles me. I don't know whether my name will be finally included or not. If a mistake can happen twice, it can happen for a third time as well," Guha said.
He is not alone. Lakhs of households across Assam are on edge a day before the publication of the hugely contentious NRC, which will determine bonafide Indian citizens as well identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Monowara Begum, 45, a domestic help, is waiting for the NRC on a wing and a prayer.
Ganesh Rai of Solmari Kalyanpur village in Goalpara district belongs to the indigenous ethnic Rajbangshi community but apprehends he would fail to make it to the final NRC as he has been declared a (doubtful) D-Voter.
Many Bodos and tea tribe people in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts are not overly worried. They assert they are indigenous people of Assam and nobody can uproot them from their land.
Amid widespread criticism, the NRC will be in public domain on Saturday and the state authorities have clamped prohibitory orders in vulnerable areas, including in Guwahati, under Section 144 CrPC to enforce public order.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday asked people not to panic and said the state government will take all possible steps to help genuine Indians prove their citizenship and provide legal assistance.