Guwahati: An elderly Bengali Muslim man, Amzad Ali from Rowmari village in Barpeta district, died while in custody at the Matia detention centre in Assam. Ali, who was arrested in May during a crackdown on alleged foreigners, was later diagnosed with cancer. Despite his deteriorating condition, repeated appeals by his family for release were denied by authorities.
Ali was first admitted to Goalpara Civil Hospital when his health declined. He was then shifted to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, where doctors confirmed his illness. He is survived by his mother, wife, and seven children, including three sons and four daughters.
This is the second death reported from Assam’s Matia detention centre this year. In April, 42-year-old Md Abdul Motlib also died while in custody. Matia, which is India’s largest detention centre, has been widely criticised for inadequate medical facilities and lack of basic amenities. Human rights groups have consistently raised concerns over the conditions in which detainees are kept, noting that many are yet to be proven foreigners through legal procedures.
The incident has sparked renewed debate on the treatment of Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, where hundreds have been detained under suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. Community leaders and activists argue that denying medical care to ailing detainees shows neglect and raises questions about the humanitarian responsibilities of the state.
