Guwahati: The construction of India’s first of its kind detention centre, for those declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal, is going on in full swing in Western Assam’s Goalpara district.
Admitting that a section of media had triggered panic among the people by defining it a detention centre for those left out in the NRC, sources in the state home department told this newspaper that idea of setting up well-planned detention centre came after media reported the “inhuman” living condition of existing detention centres. The matter was reported to the Supreme Court as well, he added.
Referring the ongoing construction work of the mass detention centre at Matia in Western Assam’s Goalpar district, security sources said that it can house 3,000 people and is being built over an area of 2.5 hectares, about the size of seven soccer fields. It will have 15 four-storey buildings to keep the detainees. The government expects the massive complex to be ready by December this year, though rain had delayed the construction.
The construction project for the detention centre, that will cost Rs 46 crore, had started in 2018.
It will also have a hospital, an auditorium, a common kitchen and 180 toilets and washrooms. There will be a primary school just outside the detention centre.
A red-painted boundary wall encircles the upcoming camp, with the outer wall at 20 feet and the inner wall at six feet. The detention centre will also have watch towers and other security surveillance equipments. Security sources clarified that the Goalpara detention centre will not be as rigid as a regular jail. “There will be hostel-type rooms, each of which can accommodate four to five detainees. The rooms will have regular doors, proper lighting and ventilation,” security sources in the state home department said, “Special attention will be given to women, nursing mothers and children. Children lodged in detention centres will also be given educational facilities in nearby local schools.”
“Every person left out of the NRC can appeal to the Foreigners Tribunal and subsequently approach the courts,” security sources said while adding, “If those who are left out of the crucial list and are not able to prove their citizenship before the deadline ends, they will be taken to the detention centre which is India’s first full-fledged detention centre.” Though, construction has started for one detention centre, government proposed to set up 10 such centres in Assam.
