NHRC takes cognizance of Doboka shelter camp case; files suo moto case

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the ‘inhuman’ conditions in the shelter camp at Doboka in Hojai and registered a suo moto case (case/file no. 128/3/14/2023 dated April 21, 2023).

A division bench of the Gauhati High Court recently asked the State Government to ensure the supply of potable water to the shelter camp at Doboka. Several children were reported to have been suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, nausea, etc. in the camp. The High Court filed a suo moto PIL (2/2023) and appointed Advocate BD Konwar as the Amicus Curiae.

According to the report of the Amicus Curiae, it was observed that the camp is located in a low-lying village area which was typically used earlier for grazing cattle. All 350 families in the camp were among the group of people who were displaced and evicted from the Lumding Reserve Forest being unauthorized occupants. They have been living in the camp since November 23, 2021, which was opened by the government as a temporary measure. The entire area may be comparable in size to a large village football field and the population density is extremely high, with individuals living in close proximity to one another. The camp lacks basic human necessities like toilets and bathrooms. The tube wells which provides water are full of iron and there is no provision for filtration. Additionally, there is no drainage system, no electricity and no sewage facilities in the camp. Some of the houses are in a condition worse than that of a cowshed.

The Amicus Curiae suggested that to address the urgent needs of the affected population, a medical team with a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) from a nearby medical college should be deployed on a priority basis and clean drinking water should be provided with the installation of filtering plants.

The division bench of the Gauhati High Court ordered the State Government to follow the instructions submitted by the Amicus Curiae. “Potable water supply shall immediately be started in the camp. The steps taken or proposed to be taken for rehabilitation of the displaced families shall also be elaborated in the counteraffidavit to be filed on behalf of the State Government within ten days,” the bench said.

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