The Supreme Court has called for immediate responses from both the Assam State Government and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the deportation of 211 foreign nationals currently detained in a transit camp in Goalpara district, Assam. Among those detained, 66 individuals are reported to be from Bangladesh. This directive follows a troubling report from the Assam District Legal Services Authority, which revealed concerning conditions within the detention camps.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, addressing a petition concerning the conditions of the detention camps, labeled the situation as “deplorable.” The Court criticized the inadequate water supply, unsanitary conditions, and leaking restrooms. It has mandated that the Assam Government submit a detailed affidavit and called for coordination between the State and Central Governments to expedite the deportation process.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioners, emphasized ongoing delays in the deportation efforts. In response, the Additional Solicitor General confirmed that measures are in place to address the issue. The case remains under review, focusing on the legal and diplomatic hurdles involved in verifying the nationality of the detained individuals and facilitating their deportation.