Kolkata, 9 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s claim that a resident of Cooch Behar received a notice from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been contradicted by official documents from the Assam government. The documents reveal a starkly different picture from what the Chief Minister alleged.

On Tuesday, Banerjee posted on her official X handle alleging that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam was using the NRC process to harass members of the Koch-Rajbongshi community in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. She further claimed that this was part of a larger conspiracy to implement the NRC in West Bengal.

However, within 24 hours, two key documents emerged that dismantled the foundation of her allegations.

What the Assam Government Documents Reveal

The first document, issued on February 4, 2025, by the Governor’s office in Assam, clarified that members of the Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak, Chutia, and Ahom communities do not need to furnish proof of three generations of residence in Assam to be considered indigenous applicants for land ownership.

The second document, dated April 11, 2025, was issued by the Secretary of Assam’s Home Department. It instructed all government-appointed lawyers to immediately withdraw all pending cases filed against members of the Koch-Rajbongshi community in the Foreigners Tribunals across Assam.

BJP Slams Mamata for “Fear-Mongering”

Reacting sharply, West Bengal BJP General Secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay accused Banerjee of spreading misinformation. “This imaginary narrative of persecution against the Koch-Rajbongshi community reflects the rising fear within the Trinamool Congress,” he said. “When the Assam government has already issued clear directives in favour of these communities, the Chief Minister’s accusations are completely baseless. TMC’s desperation ahead of the elections is now showing through false propaganda.”

Banerjee has also previously raised concerns over the Election Commission’s revised voter list process in Bihar, suggesting it could be a covert attempt to implement the NRC in Bengal, where state assembly elections are due next year.

Responding to this, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that Banerjee is apprehensive about losing the support of her so-called “illegal infiltrator vote bank,” which he claimed includes people of Rohingya origin. “This fear is pushing her to attack the Election Commission without any valid reason,” he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh