The Supreme Court on Friday has directed the Assam State Legal Services Authority to conduct surprise inspections at the Matia transit camp for foreigners to assess hygiene and food quality.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih instructed the authority’s secretary to designate suitable officers to carry out these visits without prior notice to camp officials. The court mandated that a report be submitted after the inspections within a month. The case is scheduled for further hearing on November 4.
The Supreme Court highlighted the “sorry state of affairs” at the detention center for declared foreigners in Assam during a previous hearing on July 26.
The court noted the facility’s inadequate water supply, insufficient toilets, and poor sanitation. While addressing a plea regarding the deportation of those labeled as foreigners and the conditions at detention centers in Assam, the bench pointed out that the earlier report did not include information on food availability or medical assistance.
To address these shortcomings, the court directed the secretary of the Assam State Legal Services Authority to conduct another inspection to evaluate the quality and quantity of food provided, the cleanliness of the kitchen, and the presence of medical and recreational facilities.
During a hearing on May 16, the Supreme Court emphasized that the Central Government must take prompt action to deport 17 declared foreigners currently held at the Matia detention center. The court specifically noted that priority should be given to deporting four individuals who have been detained for over two years.
The petition also seeks a directive to the Assam government, preventing the detention of any individual declared a foreigner by a tribunal until there is demonstrable proof of feasible deportation in the near future.
This ongoing legal scrutiny underscores the court’s commitment to ensuring humane conditions for individuals in detention and highlights the need for systematic oversight of facilities that house vulnerable populations.
As the inspections proceed, the focus remains on upholding the rights and dignity of those affected by the foreigner declaration process in Assam. The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a broader concern for the treatment of detainees and the state’s responsibilities in maintaining adequate living conditions.
As the situation evolves, the upcoming report and subsequent hearings will be crucial in determining the future of the detainees at Matia and ensuring that their rights are safeguarded.
