Ranchi, July 06: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda has asked jail officials to be sensitive about prisoners' rights and warned action against officials found guilty during surprise checks to be conducted by him. "Think of yourself as a human being and your reaction if your rights were trampled upon. See the inmates with the same eyes. This will help in protecting the prisoners' rights", Munda told senior jail officials and heads of 27 prisons in Jharkhand at a workshop yesterday.

Expressing concern over allegations of rights abuse in some jails, Munda said he would conduct surprise inspection of jails and take action against those found wanting. In their speeches on 'human rights for custodial and correctional officers', NHRC special rapporteurs Chaman Lal and A B Tripathi said space to live, hygiene, drinking water, toilet, health and rehabilitation programmes were essential for any jail. "Jharkhand jails were not only overcrowded but health hazards were prevailing everywhere." Home secretary J B Tubid said modernisation and upgradation of sub-jails were in progress and professional training of inmates would be imparted on priority.


Bureau Report