CJ Sanjay pitches for wellbeing of jail inmates
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2022: Under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) and Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) jointly organised an interaction programme cum legal aid for inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa as part of the campaign to provide legal services assistance to convicts, at the Jail premises on Saturday.

High Court of Manipur Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar; HCLSC chairman Justice A Bimol Singh; High Court of Manipur registrar general Golmei Gaiphunshillu; MASLSA member secretary Ojesh Mutum, registrar (Judicial) Y Rother, registrar (Vigilance) Athokpam Shanta, additional member secretary Bineshwori Maibam; HCLSC advocates and panel lawyers interacted with the inmates and officials of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and enquired about their well-being and problems.

The HCLSC and MASLSA team found the existing buildings of the jail, which were built a long time ago, in deplorable condition, requiring much-needed repair work.

One of the prisoners was reported to have been injured after the concrete of the building they were residing in fell on him.

Many of the prisoners including foreigners, who had completed their sentences, were unable to leave due to delay in processing the documents.

Others could not leave due to inability to give surety.

MASLSA informed the prisoners who had no advocates to represent them that they could avail the services of counsels for free if they want to appeal their cases.

Speaking on the sidelines, Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar pointed out that under trials and convicts are also living breathing human beings and they are entitled to basic human rights and respect.

As Manipur is a poor state, it is difficult to provide good prison conditions to the prisoners.

Nonetheless, the existing conditions are not that worse, he said, while remarking that society would benefit greatly if the government were to sanctioned some funds to improve the jail infrastructures and provide vocational and skill development training to the inmates.

Observing that some of the inmates were found to be mentally unstable, while others were prone to self harm or harming others; the Chief Justice suggested separating them from the general inmates and providing them with necessary assistance.

The Jail SP has assured of taking up requisite steps in this regard.

Medical reports of the mentally unstable patients have been examined to check whether the doctors are providing the necessary treatment, he conveyed, while adding that instructions have been given for provide these inmates with requisite medicines and monitor their conditions.

Justice PV Sanjay Kumar also said that the secretary of MASLSA has been instructed to look into the delay in releasing the inmates including foreigners who have completed their time owing to delay in processing the documents and lack of necessary paperwork/documentations.

This is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.

Thus, the government should work with the other governments to speed up the process and provide the necessary documents to the inmates, particularly the foreigners who can then be allowed to leave for countries that are granting them refugee status.

This requires concerted efforts at the government level, he said.

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