For us Assamese based in Mumbai, the first reports about the release of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam meant we rushed to check if our names were on it. They were. Never mind all the political drama that has ensued since then, the publication of the second final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam is a sincere attempt by the Indian government to implement the Assam Accord of 1985.

A little history
The problem was recognised in Assam when the then Lok Sabha MP from Mangaldoi constituency, Hiralal Patowari, died in 1979 necessitating a by-election. During the preparation of the electoral rolls, there was a massive electorate increase noticed. After the Election Commission's assessment, it came to light that 45,000 illegal 'foreigners' had been listed. According to government estimates, the population of Assam rose from 14.6 million in 1971 to 19.9 million in 1981, a rise of 36.3 per cent. The massive rise is attributed to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which was observed even by India's Chief Election Officer S L Shakdher in 1978.