Assam police on Friday said it was ready with 218 companies of paramilitary forces in addition to its own force to tackle any law and order situation during the publication of the final NRC on Saturday and afterwards.

The final National Register of Citizens, to be published by the NRC authorities, will be available for the public from 10am both online and at designated centres.

Director-general of Assam police Kuladhar Saikia told the media here that when the NRC process began, the Centre had despatched 167 companies of paramilitary forces for the state. “Now we have got 51 additional companies. We have enough forces at our disposal. Assam police has taken all measures so that no one can create law and order situation,” he added.

Saikia said superintendents of police have surveyed their respective districts, “identified the sensitive areas and deployed forces accordingly”. He did not mention the number of sensitive areas or districts but said in their earlier assessment, they had identified 1,200 out of 2,500 NRC Seva Kendras as sensitive.

He said the district police control rooms have also been activated and connected with the police headquarters and NRC headquarters.

Kuladhar Saikia in Guwahati on Friday. Picture by UB Photos

NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela held a video conference with the superintendents of police on Friday.

Last week, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had held a review meeting on NRC with the superintendent of police and deputy commissioner of each district. He directed the SPs and DCs to remain connected with influential people and opinion-makers and asked them to ensure that there was no misunderstanding regarding the NRC process among the people.

Saikia said they have undertaken community outreach programmes and alerted people about the probable rumours that could be circulated on social media. “If miscreants spread rumours or communally provocative statements, we will take strong action,” he said.

The DGP said during publication of two draft lists earlier, the people of Assam had maintained peace and tranquillity and hoped that they would cooperate again during the publication of the final NRC.

Jorhat superintendent of police Vaibhav C. Nimbalkar also said that they were ready to tackle any untoward incident in the district with mobile and stationed police personnel at hand in different areas. “The police have listed potential troublemakers and also those who have come out to help maintain peace. Social media is being closely monitored and awareness programmes have been held, asking people to desist from rumourmongering,” he said.