As per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the manual of detention centres is supposed to be a guide comprising multiple amenities to maintain standards of living in consonance with basic human needs. But, the detention centre near Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, in Imphal is lacking maintenance of standards of living in consonance with basic human needs.
The matter was brought to light when the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) team led by chairperson UB Shah inspected the detention centre on Saturday. The team also inspected foreigners who were convicted and detained in Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa.
While interacting with male detainees at the detention centre with MHRC chairperson, it was found that the rice served to the detainees for lunch and dinner were half cooked most of the time. It was also learnt that detainees were not sleeping on mats and were being guarded by police personnel and home guards.
There are 75 males and 24 females with six children of Myanmar nationals at the detention centre. Two women are pregnant – one in her eighth month while the other in her ninth month. It was learnt that there is a lack of routine check-ups. They were detained in January and kept in the centre after verification.
“We want to go home to Myanmar. If the government processes our deportation process as soon as possible, we will be very happy,” a woman inmate said.
At the Sajiwa Jail, there are 30 male Myanmar nationals who were convicted under the Foreigners Act 1946 and sentenced for six months. And though their terms have been completed, they are being detained further. When enquired, the SP of the jail said they are officially processing for deportation.
It should be noted that some of them came to Manipur before the Myanmar military junta began.
When asked, the Myanmar nationals at the Sajiwa Jail said they came to Manipur via Mizoram and stayed at Churachandpur district for weaving.
At the Central Jail, there are 37 female Myanmar nationals, all convicted under the Foreigners Act and waiting for deportation.
MHRC chairperson UB Shah, while interacting with officials of the detention centre and Sajiwa jail, said that the detainees in the detention centres are not prisoners and hence, they should not be treated as prisoners. They have the right to live a decent life and the detention centre should operate outside the purview of criminal law.
It may be mentioned that the chapter four of the manual specifies the amenities that must be provided within detention centres, holding centres and camps. Among other amenities, part 4.10 includes electricity, drinking water (including water coolers), sanitation facilities, properly segregated accommodations for male and female detainees with beds, and a kitchen.
The commission inspected the detention centre and jails as many petitions filed before the commission for illegal detention of Myanmar nationals were in poor conditions.
