Authorities in the northeastern Indian state of Assam are preparing to publish the final citizenship list—known as the National Register of Citizens—on Saturday, August 31. This so-called register aims to identify “genuine” citizens and strip others of their citizenship via what critics see as a messy, bureaucratic process. This is possibly the largest such citizenship screening drive in the world. With millions of people in the crosshairs, it achieves a similar end to Myanmar’s attacks on the Rohingyas, but with four times as many people. On Thursday, August 29, security measures were tightened across the state, including in the capital city of Guwahati, with Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code imposed. This prohibits the gathering of five or more people at one place. The centre has also sent 20,000 additional paramilitary forces to Assam. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s going on.
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What is NRC?
Where will the list go up?
What can people who don’t find their name on the NRC do?
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