TURA: Several pressure groups in Garo Hills have protested against the claim of an official of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) that over 15 per cent of the population have enrolled for Aadhaar in Meghalaya.
A report published in this newspaper on Tuesday quoted the official saying 15 per cent have already enrolled for the unique number.
“The UIDAI is using the media to convince people to opt for Aadhaar by claiming that 5,09,964 people (15 per cent of the population) have enrolled for Aadhaar… Also, the matter is sub judice as the Supreme Court hearing on the controversial issue is not due till last week of November. Does UIDAI know that imposition of Aadhaar before the Supreme Court ruling is against the judicial spirit of the Constitution,” the pressure groups said.
The organisations said no agency was authorised to implement the same when the matter is yet to be decided in the highest court and alleged that UIDAI “is infusing fear psychosis and confusion” to trick people into enrolling.
“UIDAI does not honour SC and it is in a haste to give everyone the Aadhaar number. If they mean well, then why are they forcing it on people when we have been vehemently opposing it,” they said.
The organisations also said they were prepared to take aggressive steps to stop forceful Aadhaar enrolment. It warned UIDAI and other likeminded agencies to desist from using force saying the “computerised human number” is not needed in Meghalaya.
