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The Supreme Court reprimanded the Home Ministry, and even rejected its plea, for reaching the Court for the withdrawal of combined armed police forces involved in Assam NRC (National Register of Citizens) work, for election duty during the Lok Sabha polls.
"The Home Ministry is coming up with all sorts of excuses to delay the NRC (National Register of Citizens) process in Assam. The entire effort of the Home Ministry is to destroy the process of NRC. Should we summon the home secretary? Because AG and SG are not briefed properly," said Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
The only request by the Government was for the suspension of NRC work from the date of notification of the Lok Sabha polls till two weeks after polling, so that the 167 companies of the central armed police forces that are posted for the NRC can be used for the election work. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, who appeared on behalf of the government, stated that the elections might take place in a highly surcharged atmosphere, and no compromise with law and order can be afforded. But the bench of the CJI Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman did not accede to the request. "NRC work requires only 167 companies of forces, out of 3000 combined armed police force companies. You need 2700 companies for LS polls. So what is the problem” posed CJI Gogoi.
Last year huge hue and cry was created when the initial draft left out over 40 lakh people, who were then allowed to file claims and objections. Therefore, the Supreme Court gave decision, in the month of January, that the final list has to be out by July 31 and no further extension be allowed. This, however, is expected to clash with the national elections scheduled to be in the month of May.
The July 31 deadline was reiterated on Tuesday by the Supreme Court and for that purpose it even asked the Election Commission to consider exempting certain states officers from election duty to ensure that the NRC process continues. Although, the matter is listed again in the first week of March, 2019.
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