SC Seeks Response From Centre, Assam Govt on Deportation of 211 Foreign Nationals

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (September 9) sought a response from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Assam State Government about the manner in which 211 people who have been declared foreign nationals and are presently detained in a transit camp in Matia, Goalpara district of Assam will be deported.

The court also sought a reply from the Assam Government about a report of the Assam District Legal Services Authority about the foreign nationals, of whom 66 people are from Bangladesh, reported LiveLaw.

Earlier on July 26, while hearing a petition about the conditions of the detention centres in Assam, the bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih had termed the detention centres are “deplorable” and said that it was a “sorry state of affairs”.

The bench had observed that there is no adequate water supply, proper sanitation system toilets etc.

The Court stated that the deportation of the 211 foreign nationals it will have to be a “joint effort” of the Union and the State of Assam.

The court made the observations in response to an affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs which stated that the power to deport has been delegated to the state government.

Justice Oka said that the Union had shifted the entire burden on the state, adding that powers may have been delegated, but it is the responsibility of both sides, reported LiveLaw.

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