GUWAHATI: The Centre has notified the Supreme Court that 13 out of 63 Bangladeshi nationals held at the Matia transit camp in Assam have been successfully deported.
During a hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both the Centre and the Assam government, informed a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan that discussions are ongoing to repatriate the remaining illegal immigrants residing in Assam’s detention centres.
The Bangladesh High Commission plays an active role in the deportation process since it has to confirm the detainees' nationality first. On February 4, 2025, concerns were raised by the Supreme Court about the inaction taken for the 63 people in transit camps whose nationalities were already confirmed.
Mehta explained that there are two categories of illegal foreigners: those identified as non-Indians with confirmed nationality and others whose nationality remains unknown despite being declared non-Indians by the tribunal. He further stated that the verification process for the remaining detainees is currently underway in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission.
The Solicitor General asserted that the government is making diplomatic efforts to have these people repatriated and includes processing their travel documents upon verification of their citizenship. The Nationality Status Verification Format of the detained individuals was forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs on February 14, 2025, and follow-up reminders were sent.
The Supreme Court has directed the Assam government to submit an updated affidavit by April 30, 2025, detailing the status of the nationality verifications and any additional deportations. The next hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
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