5 central prisons ‘locked down’ in Maharashtra

To prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the Maharashtra Prison department has locked down five central prisons in the state.

These prisons have crowded with prisoners almost double their sanctioned capacity.

Sunil Ramanand, Additional Director General of Maharashtra Prison department based in Pune, said, “I have issued an order for the lockdown of five central prisons. Medically examined prison staff will lock themselves up until further orders and administer the prisons without stepping out. The move has been initiated as these five prisons are located in affected areas of the state and hold very large number of inmates, way beyond capacity. This is a preventive measure because of Coronavirus spread.”

The prisons which will be locked down include Yerwada, Arthur road and Byculla (in Mumbai), Thane and Kalyan. Recently the government had decided to release 11,000 prisoners (undertrial for minor offences) to decongest the prisons. However, since March till April 8, a total of 3271 prisoners have been released on temporary bail.

There are 1346 cases of COVID19 in Maharashtra out of which 746 patients are in Mumbai. There are 210 patients in Pune district. Across India, there has been an increase of 591 new COVID19 cases and 20 deaths in last 24 hours. India’s total number of #Coronavirus positive cases has increased to 5865 (including 5218 active cases, 478 cured/discharged/migrated and 169 deaths), according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

Dhaka/Mukul