Guv wants Hindu refugees on NRC list

Silchar: Assam and Nagaland governor PB Acharya on Saturday said the upgrade of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), 1951, in Assam is an urgent necessity and that the process should be over within the specific timeframe as specified by the government.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the inaugural function of the two-day International Yoga Day at the GC College auditorium here, Acharya said NRC upgrade is necessary for the security of the people of Assam and integrity of the region.He said it will help free the state from illegal foreigners.
However, the governor said victims of religious persecution should be not left out in the process. “I’m in favour of inclusion of names of Hindu refugees, who came from erstwhile East Pakistan and took shelter in Assam due to religious harassment, on the other side of the border. If necessary, the Centre may include a clause in the law so that names of Hindu refugees can be included in the NRC,” he added.
While inaugurating the Yoga Day programme, Acharya expressed his shock at how some people were against yoga. He said yoga has nothing to do with religion, it has heeling power promotes harmony. He also performed ‘pranayam’ with volunteers.
The governor further said that only three ‘E’s: education, electricity and employment are needed for the development of country.
He also appealed to the heads of the region’s academic institutions to introduce a chair on tribal dialects because there are more than 200 such dialects in the region.
Regarding insurgency in the northeast, the governor said emotional integration, along with political inclusion, is important to solve the problem. He e added that the recent Army operation in Myanmar to flush out Naga militants has set an example for many.
Assam University vice-chancellor Somnath Dasgupta, who was also present on the occasion, said, “As an Indian, I am proud that the entire world is celebrating yoga. Yoga is important for peace, integrity and harmony. Our university is also organizing several events.”