As the deadline for the publication of draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) nears, the Centre on Wednesday asked Assam not to initiate any action against people who does not find their names in the list.
Assam and its neighbouring states have also been asked to ensure law and order in the run up to the release of second list of draft NRC on July 30.
The fresh directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) came after Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured that no one will put in detention centres in Assam and that people who do not find their names to produce have remedies available under the law to rectify it.
"No action should be initiated by the administration or the police based on the draft NRC. There is no question of referring the persons whose names do not figure in the draft NRC to the Foreigners' Tribunal as people are entitled to file claims and objections and due opportunity has to be given to them before final publication," an official statement said.
"The question of referring any person to a detention centre based on NRC exercise also does not arise. The state government has been asked to issue clear instructions in this regard to all Administrative and Police functionaries," it said.
The MHA said the Assam government should set up a state-level coordination committee under the chief secretary to ensure coordination among state agencies, NRC authorities and central agencies. Round-the-clock control rooms at the state capital and district headquarters are to be activated to receive complaints and coordinate prompt response.
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has been asked to use all means of communication including websites, toll-free numbers and text messages to provide information to public about the draft NRC.
"An intensive public awareness campaign has been launched to disseminate information regarding the NRC process, options available for individuals whose names do not figure in the draft NRC, the procedure and time-line for filing claims and objections, etc so as to address the concerns of people left out of the Draft list," the statement added.