Man lodged in Assam detention camp dies

Guwahati: A man lodged in a detention camp for illegal migrants in Assam died at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Goalpara late on Friday. The man was admitted to the hospital after he fell ill 10 days ago. With this, the number of deaths in detention centres across the state has gone up to 29. Nearly 1,000 people are lodged in such centres across the centre.

Currently, Assam has six detention centres but they are housed in district jails, together they hold 1000-odd people. A seventh centre is under construction in Goalpara district.

According to government data, 28 persons declared as 'illegal foreigners' by Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs) and lodged in detention camps have died in the last three years.

In July, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, replying to the state Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal — who also holds the Home portfolio — said a total of 25 persons have died in the six detention camps of Assam.

The minister's response said that seven people died in 2018 and 2019 (till July), six in 2017, four in 2016, and one in 2011. The reason for all the deaths is mentioned as "due to illness".

As per data presented in the Assembly, the addresses of only two of the deceased are mentioned as to be in Bangladesh. All the others had an address in Assam.

"Due to illness, these people lodged in detention camps were admitted to hospitals after which they died… None of the bodies was sent to Bangladesh," Patowary had said.

With agency inputs