Those Not On Assam Citizen List Can Vote If Name On Rolls: Election Panel
NEW DELHI: Those left out of a draft list of citizens in Assam "need not worry" for now, they can vote if their name is on the electoral rolls, India's top election officer said on Wednesday.
There is a massive political controversy after the new list or National Register of Citizens (NRC) excluded 4 million people from Assam in a drive against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The ruling BJP has been accused of targeting these people for political reasons.
"Those left out of the Assam citizen's list can vote if their names are in the voter's list. The Election Commission will publish a voter list in January and will not wait for the final NRC," Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat told NDTV.
Political sparring has peaked ahead of a string of state elections and the national polls in 2019.
The draft National Register of Citizens is the result of a years-long agitation by residents of Assam demanding expulsion of immigrants from Bangladesh just over the border.
Exclusions from the list released on Monday have given ammunition to opposition parties to band together against the government.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday warned against "civil war and bloodbath".
courtesy : ndtv.com
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Police probe antecedents of man who opened fire at Farooq Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Police have initiated a detailed probe into the antecedents of Kamal Singh Jamwal, the man who allegedly attempted to assassinate former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah at a marriage function here, officials said on Thursday.
Police are examining the 63-year-old Jamwal’s background, including his personal, social and possible organisational links, to ascertain the motive behind the firing incident, they said.
Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, had a narrow escape when the accused allegedly fired at him from behind as he was leaving the marriage function at Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night.
Security personnel deployed with Abdullah immediately swung into action and thwarted the assassination attempt. A licensed pistol allegedly used in the crime was recovered from Jamwal's possession.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, were also accompanying the NC chief when the incident occurred.
Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, reportedly told police that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years. Officials said police are also examining his recent activities and movements before the attack.
Senior police officers are currently questioning Jamwal, who told investigators that he earns his livelihood from rent generated by his shops.
Officials said security arrangements at the venue are being reviewed to determine how the accused managed to enter the function with a weapon.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal has condemned the attack on Abdullah, saying "such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic and civilised society."
"Since the accused has been arrested, the authorities must ensure a thorough and transparent investigation so that the complete facts behind the attack come to light and strict action is taken in accordance with the law," Sirwal said.
