Guwahati, May 11 (PTI): Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam government to file a report on the status of the leprosy asylums and other centres in the state.

The court has also asked the government to submit the steps that have been taken to eradicate the disease.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice D. Biswas directed the joint director of health services (leprosy) to file the report by May 19 after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) yesterday.

The PIL, filed by senior advocate Gautam Uzir, had claimed that leprosy patients were living in sub-human conditions in various asylums in the state.

The court, taking cognisance of the matter, asked for a report from the state government.