Shifting of declared foreigners to Matia Detention Centre; HC seeks report from Dispur by Nov 17

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has directed the state government to submit a report as to why those declared as foreigners by various Foreigners Tribunals have not been shifted the newly-constructed designated Detention Centre at Matia in the Goalpara district.

It may be mentioned that around 194 declared foreigners are being kept at transit camps attached with six district jails.

During earlier hearing of a PIL filed by advocate Shantanu Borthakur, Abonti Dutta and two others on September 22 last, the High Court had directed the state government to shift all declared foreigners to the Detention Centre at Matia. The court had also asked to ensure that work on the centre at Matia be completed on a war footing and added that the declared foreigners be shifted to alternative accommodation if construction of the designated detention centre is not completed expeditiously.

However, at the latest hearing of the PIL on Tuesday before a Bench comprising Chief Justice RM Chhaya and Justice Soumitra Saikia, the government counsel could not satisfactorily explain the reason for failure to shift the declared foreigners from various jails to the centre at Matia or alternative accommodation.

The bench observed that it is a serious matter and the government should take it with due seriousness. As such, the Bench set a deadline of November 17 next for the state government to provide details of the steps being taken in this regard.

It may be mentioned that the once it becomes operational, the Detention Centre at Matia will be able to house around 3,000 inmates. The Detention Centre is being built with a fund of Rs 64 crore provided by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Recently, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had informed the Assam Legislative Assembly during its Autumn Session that so far 779 declared foreigners have been released on bail from various transit camps attached to district jails, as per the Supreme Court's order. Out of those released, 778 are reporting to the local police station concerned every week, while one person is absconding, Sarma had said.

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