Bengaluru: Karnataka recently launched its first detention centre for illegal immigrants near Nelamangala and the unit has been operational for a few days.

It can be recalled that, during a rally at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there are no detention centres in India. However, his ministers had, in the Lok Sabha, stated several times that there are already six detention centres in Assam alone.

Commissioner of the social welfare department, R S Peddappaiah told TOI that the detention centre near Nelamangala is open and “ready to house illegal immigrants”. This was confirmed by a top state home department official.

According to the report, the state department’s plan was to open the centre in January but after allegedly receiving a directive from the Union Government, the opening was advanced. 

The centre has six rooms, a kitchen and a security room. Previously a social welfare department hostel, the facility can house 24 people. The centre also has two watchtowers and the compound wall has been fitted with barbed wire.

Although the centre has been operational for a few days with all the necessary infrastructure and staff, no illegal immigrants have been lodged here.