Names of over 1L Gorkhas not in NRC list: Tamang
Darjeeling: The heat of Assam's National Register of Citizen (NRC) was felt in North Bengal. The border districts of Bengal with Assam are on high alert. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has alleged that names of more than one lakh Gorkhas have failed to make it to the list. The GJM dubbed it a conspiracy of the BJP-led government.
Incidentally, the final draft of the NRC was published on Monday. Out of 3.29 crore applicants, 40 lakh names have been left out of the list. "Names of more than a lakh Gorkhas have been left out of the list. In case these persons seek legal recourse or any help, the GJM will extend all necessary help and support," stated Binay Tamang, president, GJM.
Tamang alleged that the BJP has similar plans for Bengal. "If in power, they will implement an NRC for Bengal as well. The minorities of Bengal will be driven out then. We vehemently oppose such ploys by the BJP," added Tamang.
Meanwhile, districts of Bengal bordering Assam, namely Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, are on high alert. There are apprehensions that the problem could spill over to Bengal and many from Assam would try to enter the state.
Police top brass including Sanjay Singh, DIG, CID, Ashok Prasad, IG, CID and Anand Kumar, IG, North Bengal, visited the Baxirhat area of Cooch Behar bordering Assam on Wednesday.
Earlier, they had made a round of Alipurduar district, including Baravisa area that shares a border with Assam, to take stock of the situation.
Police vigil has been beefed up, along with checks in vehicles and surprise checks all along the state border, including the riverine border. Special meetings are being held between the civil and police administration for proper coordination. "We are keeping a close tab on the situation," stated Anand Kumar, IG, North Bengal.
With the draft being published, Section 144 CrPC has been imposed in all sensitive districts of Assam. 220 companies of Central Police Force have been deployed in Assam. Terrorist outfits including ULFA, NDFB, KLO, KLNLF, UPDS and DHD are active in Assam. There are apprehensions that with the huge police presence in Assam, the terrorists could try to sneak into Bengal.
