In a notable development, the Supreme Court on October 4, 2024, ordered a surprise inspection of the Matia transit camp in Assam to assess the sanitary and living conditions of the detainees.
The order came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised serious concerns about the unsanitary and inhuman conditions in the camp, which holds people classified as "foreigners" under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
The Matia transit camp in Assam's Goalpara district is one of the largest detention camps in India.
It faces allegations of poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding, and lack of access to basic medical care.
Human rights activists have long raised concerns about the treatment of the detainees, who are often family members including children and the elderly.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a group of independent specialists conducted surprise inspections of the state of Assam, which was ordered by the Court. The camp's general living conditions, medical facilities, food quality, and cleanliness will all be assessed during these inspections.
It is anticipated that the inspection results will be delivered to the court in a predetermined amount of time. This decision emphasizes the need of guaranteeing humane treatment in state-run facilities and emphasizes the judiciary's role in defending human rights, especially for those who are being kept in custody.
TAGS: Supreme Court Assam Matia Transit Camp hygiene conditions human rights NHRC detention center.
