29 prisoners from 7 countries reside in a rather peaceful transit house in Kerala

There are only 29 prisoners from seven different nations housed in the state’s only transit home, amidst controversy over the Citizen Amendment Act and detention facilities.

The transit home, located in Kottiyam, Kollam, was founded in November 2022 under the social justice department in response to a forceful intervention by the Kerala High Court on a petition made by a citizen of Nigeria. Olorumfemi Benjemin Baba Femi requested a direction to choose a detention center other than Viyyur Central Prison from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO).

Citizens of Nigeria, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Venezuela are now residing at the transit home. Sri Lankans make up the biggest group of convicts, with 11. They were all taken into custody for human trafficking. Along with one citizen from each of El Salvador, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Venezuela, there are also nine Bangladeshis and five Nigerians.

The residence was built to temporarily house foreign people entering the country unlawfully or those remaining in the country long after their travel papers or licenses expired, against the background of political allegations and counterclaims. It also includes those who have served their time in prison, been released from custody, been on parole, or need other types of protection after serving their sentence.

There are solely male detainees at the Kottiyam institution right now. In Pathanapuram, in Gandhi Bhavan, are women who were arrested with the Lankans who were staying there. Five citizens of Bangladesh who had lived in the house before have been deported. Residents are free to move around the complex even though they are not allowed to leave the center.

Home manager and district probation officer Biju K V said, “Inmates are not confined to rooms nor are their movements within the facility restricted in any manner.”

They have recreational amenities at their disposal, and if they’d like, they may prepare their own meals. Even takeaway meal orders are accepted from prisoners. They also let friends, activists, and family to visit them. We request approval from the FRRO when a matter is concluded. The relevant embassies then organize for deportation,” he said to TNIE.

It’s interesting to note that Kamaluddin owns a 32-cent parcel of land on which a 5,000 square foot structure houses the transit home. The plant began operations in November 2022, but Minister R Bindu gave it a formal opening on December 2 of the same year. At first, there were four people living there.

Center to house undocumented immigrants

The residence was built to temporarily house foreign people entering the country unlawfully or those remaining in the country long after their travel papers or licenses expired, against the background of political allegations and counterclaims.