Guwahati, Mar 19 (IANS): The process to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam will start in April.

This was decided at a meeting between officials of central home ministry, representative of the Assam government and the Registrar General of India in New Delhi Monday, officials said here Tuesday.

"We held detailed discussions with the officials of the Registrar General of India to pave way for early initiation," Assam Home Commissioner G.D. Tripathy told IANS.

The Assam government had started a pilot project to update the NRC in Barpeta district in 2010.

But it was put on hold following the death of four people in police firing as supporters of the All Assam Minority Students Union resorted to vandalism in the district in July 2010.

While the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and some other groups have welcomed the decision to update the 1951 NRC, the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) had opposed it on the ground that the 1951 NRC was not available in six districts.