The Supreme Court has delivered a stern mandate to the Assam government: overhaul the facilities at detention camps across the state within the next month to meet basic human rights standards. This order was issued by a bench consisting of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, who have taken a strong stance on the need for immediate improvements.
During the proceedings, Justice Oka made an oral observation highlighting the dismal conditions reported by the legal services authority of the state, noting the lack of basic health amenities and the absence of female doctors at these facilities. The justices have ordered state authorities to conduct thorough on-site inspections and to hold a meeting involving all relevant parties to expedite the rectification of these issues.
The secretary of the Assam Legal Services Authority has been specifically directed to attend this meeting and to submit a detailed report on the improvements by December 9. The directive emerges amid ongoing scrutiny over the conditions at Assam’s detention centers, which house individuals whose citizenship status is disputed or who have been declared foreigners by tribunals.
Particular concern was raised about the Matia detention center in the Goalpara district, which is the largest of its kind in India. Despite the significant investment of ₹64 crore in its construction, the facility was reported to lack essential services, including adequate water, sanitation, and medical facilities. The Supreme Court previously expressed its dismay over these conditions in a July hearing, criticizing the lack of basic infrastructure and services.
This latest directive follows a May order from the Court to the Central government, urging the quick deportation of 17 foreign nationals detained at these centers, who were not facing any criminal charges that warranted their continued detention. This call to action underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to ensuring humane treatment and basic rights for all detainees.
