New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): As many as 28 persons have died in detention centres set up in Assam or the hospitals they were referred to between the start of 2016 and October 10, 2019, the Parliament was told on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in a written reply, told the Rajya Sabha that the deaths were due to various illness and none of these died due to apprehension or fear. He also maintained that the detenues were not eligible for compensation since they had entered India illegally.

The Minister's reply came in response to a question from Trinamool Congress lawmaker Santanu Sen.

Rai, quoted the state government, said that as of November 22, as many as 988 foreigners were lodged in six detention centres in Assam. When a lawmaker wished to know about members of religious minorities hailing from Bangladesh who were lodged in these camps, the Minister assured that the information will be collected and shared.