High Powered Committee holds meeting
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 09 2020:
The High Powered Committee constituted to oversee the release of prisoners on bail/parole as a measure to avoid congestion/overcrowding in jails in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic held its first meeting on March 31, 2020 .
A second meeting of the committee, as requested by Home Department was held today at the office of MASLSA, ADR building of Lamphel Court complex with Justice Kh Nobin Singh, Executive Chairman Manipur State Legal Services Authority in the chair, stated a press release issued by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) .
Additional Director of Police (Prisons) P Doungel, MASLSA member-secy, Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Special-Secy (Home) K Radhashyam Singh, Addl member secy MASLSA Ojesh Mutum, secy Imphal West DLSA K Nirojit, and deputy member secy of MASLSA Sorokhaibam Sadananda also attended the meeting.
After deliberations and upon consideration of prevailing situation in the State, it is resolved that out of the list of prisoners as proposed by State Government, 69 UTPs are recommended for release on bail on PR bond by concerned Court/Magistrate for 3 months interim period subject to conditions as may be imposed, it said.
The committee also recommended release of 4 convicts on parole.
It also clarified that under no circumstances, a prisoner is to be released without proper medical screening and tests and if prisoner shows symptoms typical of fly, fever, etc, he/she is to be kept in quarantine.
Under no circumstance, a prisoner is to be released without consent, it also said.
Further, it was resolved that in respect of similarly situated prisoners (if any) not proposed by State Government, jail authorities and State Home Department shall examine them.
The committee will convene as an when the need arises or on request of Home Department, it added.