New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court raised concerns about the deplorable conditions at a detention center in Assam, which houses individuals with uncertain citizenship status and foreigners awaiting deportation. The court expressed alarm over the facility’s lack of water, sanitation, and non-functional toilets.
Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AG Masih, presiding over the case, reviewed a report from the Secretary of the Assam Legal Services Authority detailing the situation at the Matia detention center in Goalpara district.
The report revealed severe deficiencies: inadequate toilets, no medical facilities, poor water supply, and a lack of sanitation. The court questioned, “What are you managing?”
The court instructed the Assam Legal Services Authority to conduct a follow-up visit to assess not only the poor facility conditions but also the quality and quantity of food and kitchen hygiene. A detailed report on these aspects is expected within three weeks.
The Matia detention center, according to the petitioner, currently holds around 3,000 people. The center is also required to address the issue of deportation within the same timeframe.
Previously, the court had ordered the deportation of 17 declared foreigners currently held in detention camps across the northeastern state, with four individuals having been detained for two years. The court had directed the Assam Legal Services Authority to inspect the detention camp in this context.