108 UT prisoners recommended for release on bail
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 24 2020:
The High Powered Committee (HPC), constituted to oversee the release of prisoners on bail/parole in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, held its third meeting at the office of MASLSA, ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex today and resolved to recommend release of 108 UTPs on bail.
The meeting was held at the request of the Home Department, informed a press release issued by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) .
Additional DGP (Prisons) P Doungel, MASLSA Member Secy Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Special Secy (Home) K Radheshyam, Addl Member Secy MASLSA Ojesh Mutum, Deputy Secy (Home) Th Charanjeet Singh and Deputy Member Secy MASLSA Sorokhaibam Sadananda attended the said meeting.
As per report, after it was recommended in the 2nd meeting that some of the (UTP) prisoners be released, it was stated that some prisoners from the recommended list were not willing to go on interim parole/interim bail for personal reasons.
The committee members unanimously resolved in today's meeting that out of the list of prisoners proposed by State and MASLSA, a total of 108 UTPs are recommended for release on bail by Court/Magistrate concerned for an interim period of 3 months subject to other such conditions.
It was also clarified that the existing facilities available in the jails do not have necessary infrastructure to function as quarantine/isolation wings and resolved that State Government shall take immediate steps to designate places for quarantine.
Further, the Committee also resolved that in view of the current lockdown situation, State Home Department in co-ordination with jail authorities shall make necessary arrangements for conveyance of released prisoners to their respective residence.
The statement also informed that under no circumstances a prisoner is to be released without proper medical screening and tests and if prisoner shows symptoms typical of flu, fever, etc he/she is to be kept in quarantine.
Also, no prisoner is to be released without his/her consent.