AHRC takes suo moto cognizance of 'rights violation' in Guwahati Central Jail

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The AHRC (Assam Human Rights Commission) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the alleged violation of human rights of the jail inmates at the Guwahati Central Jail.

A case (order sheet: 4258 of 2021-22/9) was filed by the AHRC and a notice was issued to the IG (Inspector General) of Prisons, Assam directing him to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within one month of the receipt of the notice.

A newspaper report on December 14, 2021, had mentioned the violation of the human rights of the jail inmates.

He alleged that "the prison manual and provisions of the 'Prisons Act' were blatantly flouted by the jail authorities of the Guwahati Central Jail".

The report narrated the experience in that jail by the suspended Congress MLA from the Baghbar Constituency -- Sherman Ali Ahmed. He alleged -- before the media after coming out of the Jail -- that the basic facilities such as proper medical care, toilets and drinking water among others were lacking in the Jail. He also alleged that the inmates and the under-trial prisoners had to serve their terms in deplorable conditions.

He also alleged that approximately 2,000 inmates and undertrial prisoners were in that Jail. "However, due to the lack of a full-fledged hospital and adequate healthcare facilities, the inmates are suffering a lot. The undertrial prisoners have also been deprived of proper legal aid services".

He also alleged that the Jail "is under-staffed and that the prison inmates had to work for a considerable time which is meant for regular employees only".

Sherman Ali -- who was in jail for two months -- stated that there was an urgent need for jail reforms which has never been discussed for the past 10 years.

He also pointed out that small-scale industries can be set up inside the jail to utilize the services of the prisoners. He, however, pointed out that "the facilities have not been there in the Guwahati Central Jail".

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