Shillong, Sept 21: The MBOSE hostel at Laitumkhrah, was notified as a temporary detention centre/holding centre for foreign nationals who are waiting for deportation after completing the jail term.
The decision was after the High Court rejected its Nongstoin building proposal.
The notification was issued on September 17 by the Home (Political) department, a status report filed before the division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh on Monday, said.
After hearing the suo motu petition, the court wanted 30 foreign nationals to be shifted by September 28.
“Since all facilities are practically in place, we direct that all foreign nationals shall be transferred to the temporary Detention Centre at MBOSE Hostel at the earliest and in any event, by 28.09.2026,” the court ordered.
The IG Prisons and Correctional Services has directed all district jail chiefs to start transfer of overstaying foreign inmates to Shillong.
The status report says the hostel – G+2 with six dormitories – can accommodate 60 beds.
The plan includes 26 admin and guarding staff, 8 security staff and one platoon for gates and watch towers, a medical officer with three medical staff, 26 CCTV cameras, fire safety and office infrastructure.
Photographs were placed before the court.
The SP (Traffic) holding charge of FRO Shillong as SP-cum-FRO Vivek Syiem is on medical leave, FRRO Kolkata Nidhi Rani, through video conference, and Commissioner & Secretary, Home (Political).
FRRO informed the court that deportation orders have been issued in four cases and steps are on to repatriate them.
The court will take up cases of two Myanmar nationals, two Nigerians and one Bangladeshi national in custody for over five years.
The bench asked the state and FRRO to place on record how compensation can be paid to foreign nationals who have been kept in custody beyond their sentence.
The next hearing will be on September 28.
Image: Shillong jail ( MM file)
