Guwahati, Nov 4: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Assam government over the “lack of basic facilities” at the Matia detention camp in Goalpara and directed the government to ensure that the requisite amenities were in place within a month.
The apex court was hearing a case regarding the condition of centres/camps where persons with doubtful citizenship or those deemed foreigners by tribunals are detained in the state.
“We have perused the report, dated October 24, 2024, submitted by the team constituted by the Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA). To say the least, the condition of the detention camp is far from being satisfactory. Even basic amenities are lacking as can be seen from the detailed report submitted by the team constituted by the ASLSA,” a bench of the Court, comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, stated in its order.
Notably, the Court had, on October 4, 2024, directed the ASLSA to conduct inspections at the Matia transit camp to assess aspects such as hygiene, food quality and overall living conditions at the detention camp. The inspection was to verify claims made by the Assam government in a compliance affidavit, which asserted that the state had improved conditions at the camp.
“We direct the secretary in charge of the concerned department of the state of Assam to immediately make a visit to the detention camp, hold a meeting with all the concerned authorities and ensure that all facilities are in place in the detention camp within a maximum period of one month from today. Even the secretary of the ASLSA shall also be invited to attend the meeting,” the Court stated in its order.
“A comprehensive affidavit shall be filed by the secretary of the concerned department of state of Assam within a period of one month from today which shall be considered on December 9, 2024,” the Court directed.
