Supreme Court demands action on Bangladeshi deportations

The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns about the 40-year delay in deporting illegal Bangladeshi nationals. This discussion happened after the court learned that only 13 out of 270 alleged foreigners in an Assam detention camp had been identified and sent to Bangladesh. Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned why deportations have not happened sooner. They emphasized that the Assam Accord, signed in 1985, established clear rules for identifying illegal migrants. According to the Accord, anyone who entered Assam from Bangladesh after March 25, 1971, is considered an illegal migrant. The Solicitor General stated that deportations are complex because they involve diplomatic negotiations. He mentioned that the process is ongoing and that some individuals can only be deported if Bangladesh recognizes them as its citizens. A report on the situation will be submitted by the state government by April 20, showing progress on the deportations. The court is also dealing with complaints from detainees about the conditions in the detention centers. Some detainees have challenged their foreigner status in the Gauhati High Court. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the Rohingya refugees among the detainees. The Supreme Court is considering the matter of Rohingyas separately. The court has asked for continued updates and emphasized the need for urgent action regarding nationality verification and deportations. They expressed frustration at the lack of progress before their February 4 order, which called for immediate steps to address the situation.