Over the weekend, thousands of re-verification notices served to the poor and unlettered persons of lower Assam had caused hundreds to desperately rush 400-500 kilometres away in panic. One such family that was forced to rush overnight for a hearing, met with an accident and many of them were severely injured. 60 year old Abdul Kalam Azad from Sontoli in Kamrup district was travelling for a hearing a bus with over 20 members of his family when the accident took place late at night. 24 people including a toddler and an 8 year old have been injured in the accident. Survivors have sustained serious injuries including burns, fractures and head injuries. Three people are said to be in critical condition. They are all being treated at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
Sabrangindia had reported exclusively on how these large scale notices are a violation of the Supreme Court Order of July 23.
Some images of the accident and survivors may be viewed here:
The bus which was moving from sontali to golaghat immediately with people going 4 nrc hearing has faced an accident last night I e. 4.8.19 at guwahati causing one death and injured many, who are admitted to guwahati medical college hospital.
Yesterday at 11.30 there is major accident of a bus carrying people going for immediate NRC hearing from sontali, Boko to golaghat a 500 km rout causing seriously injuring atlest 30 people including infants out of which condition of 5 is very critical. How many times these Indian poor citizens will have to face such acid tests, who is responsible for such measurable conditions.
Panic had gripped lower Assam as thousands of re-verification notices –calling victims from as far as 400 kilometres away — were served, summoning persons to appear for hearings, overnight. Poor access and transportation had rendered these latest moves by the NRC authorities callous and brutal, apart from being in clear violation of the July 23, 2019 order of the Supreme Court that turned down the state and centre’s demand for such re-verification
Over four million people have been left out of the NRC draft, most of them from socio-economically backward communities. This list was out by July 31, 2018 and the final list is due on August 31, 2019.