To find out indigenous Muslim population in Assam, Jonogosthiya Somonnoy Parishad, Asom (Indigenous Coordination Council of Assam) announced that they will carry out a ‘census’ from April 15.
Chief convener of the council Syed Muminul Aowal said that the process of the ‘census’ will start from April 15 which is the first day of the Assamese New Year.
Aowal said that it has become necessary to separate the state’s indigenous Muslims and migrated Muslims.
“The ‘census’ of the indigenous Muslims of Assam will be carried out in order to re-establish their distinct identity as indigenous residents of the state. ‘Goriya’, ‘Moriya’ and ‘Deshi jonogosthi’ are Assam’s indigenous Muslim communities but as their religion is the same and they have similar names, there is no clear difference between the indigenous Muslims and Muslims who have migrated from other countries,” Aowal was quoted as saying in a report.
He added that the process will be carried out through the online mode. A website www.jspacensus.com has been created to carry out the ‘census’.
“Applications will be accepted from April 15 and the applications must be submitted within three months. A certificate will also be needed from the village headman along with the application. A draft will also be prepared revenue circle-wise across the State after going through the process of the application,” Aowal said.
“If there is any loophole in an application, the applicant will be informed through a message and accordingly he will get a chance to rectify it. Those whose names do not appear in the draft need not worry as they will get a chance to apply afresh. Names of the outsiders will be deleted accordingly as well.”
There are 23 organisations that represent the ‘Goriya’, ‘Moria’ and ‘Deshi jonogosthi’.
These organisations will make claims and objections if there are any. An identity card will be given to everyone after the final report is published. Earlier, the state government had expressed its intent to conduct a similar exercise but it did not materialise.
