The Gauhati High Court in the case In Re-Plight of Children in Temporary Shelter Homes v. The State of Assam wherein a suo motu public interest litigation has been filed with regards to the exact number of temporary shelter camps in the entire state wherein people are being housed who have been displaced on account of the of eviction drives.
The division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita in the case observed and has directed that the statistics would include the gender-wise distribution as well as the number of children who are being sheltered in all these camps.
The court earlier in the case also requested Senior Advocate, B.D. Konwar to act as Amicus Curiae in the matter and also to inspect the site of the temporary shelter at Changmaji Gaon, Mouza- Jamunamukh, the Sub-Division- Daboka, District-Hojai.
Further, it has also been highlighted by Konwar in his report that there being a lack of proper drinking water facility in the camp. Therefore, it has also been indicated that as an immediate remedial measure, properly filtered water supply is being needed in the camp.
The court in the case observed and has directed that the concerned authorities shall immediately address the issues being highlighted in the report.
Therefore, the court stated that the potable water supply shall immediately be started in the camp. Thus, the steps which needs to be taken or is proposed to be taken for rehabilitation of the displaced families shall also be elaborated in the counter affidavit which is to be filed on behalf of the State.
Further, the court directed the State for filing counter affidavit with requisite details within ten days.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter to be next heard on May 08, 2023.
