Over 4 lakh avoid biometric test, go 'missing' after draft NRC

GUWAHATI: The whereabouts of more than four lakh men, women and children, who did not file claims after their names were dropped from last year's draft NRC, have become a matter of mystery to the authorities in Assam. These "missing" claimants form almost 20% of those who failed to make it to the final NRC on Saturday.
A total of 3,30,27,661 people had applied for inclusion in the NRC and 2,89,83,677 were included in the draft NRC, leaving out 40,43,984 people, who were then asked to file claims. Hajela stated that he received claims from 36,26,630 people, which means that 4,17,354 people did not re-visit the NRC offices with claims applications. Hajela added that the 19,06,657 people who were found ineligible included those who did not submit their claims.
There is no official explanation about this group of people, who did not file claims, but a source pointed out that this group would comprise Indians from other states who migrated to Assam for a livelihood and did not think it necessary to get their names enlisted because they intended to return to their roots someday, and illegal foreigners who might have decided to lie low after their first attempt to get citizenship recognition failed.
There are reports of barbers, shoemakers and daily-wage earners at railway goods yards who have returned to their homes, mainly in Bihar, but they are a very small number.