Karnataka: New year, new detention centre

The Union has maintained its puzzling stand on detention centres. PM Modi at a recent public event had claimed that India has no detention centres. The Home Ministry has confirmed in parliament that there are 6 detention centres in Assam but indicated that there are no detention camps in any other state, while Karnataka was preparing in full force to get this detention camp ready for ‘new year’.

The building constructed in 1992 was a hostel for SC/ST and backward class students but as the hostel strength kept diminishing, it was finally shut down in 2008 and has since worn a decrepit look. It is located in Sondekoppa village, 40 kms from Bengaluru. The villagers’ various suggestions to put the building to use were neglected and nobody is aware when the process of converting it into a detention centre began. It is a small building which can house only 30 persons at a time.

The building has facilities like urinals and bathrooms, borewell, overhead tank. Chandra Naik U, secretary, central relief committee of social welfare department said eight months ago, they were informed by police that the building would be converted into a detention centre.

As per the manual for detention centres issued by the Centre, a detention centre must be outside the premises of a prison, should have facilities like electricity, water supply, beds and food must be provided as also creche facilities for young children of detainees and access to education for older children.

This facility in the outskirts of Bengaluru does not, however, yet have separate toilets for men and women neither does it have creche and recreational facilities.

Karnataka’s Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, however, objects to the term ‘detention centre’ saying , “There is no purpose per se to detain someone on the issue of citizenship.” He added that the purpose to keep the facility ready was to lodge African nationals overstaying in India and indulging in drug peddling.

But in September, Bommai had said, “A large number of people have come from other countries, especially Bangladesh, and settled in Bengaluru and other cities of Karnataka. Karnataka is one of the states where people from across the border are settling. We are collecting information and will discuss with the Union Home Minister on the road ahead.” Notice, how there was no mention of African nationals then?