The National Register of Citizens is back in the news. It's hogging headlines because 19 lakh residents of Assam have been excluded from it in the final list of NRC, which was released earlier today.

Prateek Hajela, the State Coordinator of NRC, said, "A total of 3,11,21,004 persons found eligible for inclusion in final NRC leaving out 19,06,657 persons including those who did not submit their claims. Those not satisfied with the outcome can file an appeal before Foreigners Tribunals."

Appeals to Guwahati High Court and Supreme Court also exist. However, to expect that 19 lakh ordinary people will be able to prove their citizenship before FTs is wishful thinking, say critics. "The state has declared 19 people stateless at one go. This must be something that has never happened before anywhere in the world," a critic says.