34 under trail persons recommended for release

UTRCs conduct 2nd quarterly meeting

Kohima, July 4 (MExN): District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the purview of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) conducted the 2nd quarterly meeting of the Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) in their respective districts for April-June quarter. 

A total of 34 Under Trial Prisoners from jails across Nagaland were recommended for release after the committee comprising of Principal/District & Session Judges, Chairman; Chief Judicial Magistrate cum-Secretary, and Deputy Commissioners, Superintendent of Police, Jail Superintendent, lawyers from DLSAs as members, reviewed status of UTPs. Others requiring medical treatment, legal aid counsel, and other issues during the COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed and discussed, according to a press release from the Public Relations Assistant, NSLSA.

In Mon district, the DLSA recommended release of 5 UTPs eligible to be released on bail under section 36 A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (where persons accused of section 19 or section 24 or section 27 A or for offences involving commercial quantity) and where investigation is not completed in 60/90/180 days, during the UTRC meeting on June 25. Mon Deputy Thavaseelan K also pressed for medical assistance for UTPs during the current crises. The committee has also discussed on the segregation of the UTPs which has already been done. The district jail reportedly has 62 UTPs and 15 convicts. 

The Mokokchung DLSA’s meeting discussed COVID-19 safety concerns and jail authorities were advised to ensure close monitoring of inmates while ensuring safe transit of released inmates. The Deputy Commissioner was also asked to identify a suitable place to set up COVID care centre to lodge asymptomatic UTPs and convicts. 

Meanwhile, a UTP accused on compoundable offences was identified and recommendation was made to file bail petition by concerned parties. A case of elderly inmate was identified and jail authorities were asked to ensure timely medical health review of the person, the release stated.  

The Kiphire DLSA held its meeting online on July 3 and recommended the release of one UTP who has been under judicial custody for more than 6 months, while another inmate was recommended for medical treatment. The issue of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was brought up and it was resolved to give proper awareness regarding the vaccination. All together 4 UTPs and 1 convict were lodged at District Jail, Kiphire as of July 3.

Tuensang DLSA conducted the meeting on May 29, at the office of Superintendent of Police, District Jail, Tuensang and discussed to provide COVID-19 care centre with proper security. While, the district jail has 29 UTPs and 13 UTPs, one UTP was recommended for free legal aid.

On June 24, the Longleng DLSA recommended 7 UTPs for release. Two others were endorsed for legal aid counsel and another two were released post recommendation, as per the release. 

In Phek, the committee identified 6 UTPs who were granted bail for release but were still in custody as they were unable to furnish surety. In the last HPC meeting, 10 UTPs were released on parole and there are 15 inmates in Phek District jail. While, the Chief Medical Office has assigned a Medical doctor for COVID duty in the district jail, no sick inmates were reported. The members also inspected the jail.

During the UTRC meeting in Dimapur on June 14 at the Principal District & Session Judge’s Chamber, Dimapur, the list of UTPs furnished by Central Jail Dimapur and District Jail Dimapur were scrutinized. A total of 11 UTPs from Central Jail and 3 from District Jail were recommended for release on bail. 

Wokha DLSA conducted its quarterly meeting at District Jail, Wokha on June 9 where 13 UTPs are lodged. However, no UTP were observed to be requiring immediate medical attention and no UTPs were found to be eligible for bail.

Further, the Zunheboto DLSA conducted its meeting on July 2 at District Jail Zunheboto. At present there are 16 UTPs and 3 convicts and all the UTPs are represented and do not require further recommendation for release. However, recommendation was made to set up separate COVID Care Centre for UTPs with proper security, it stated.

Meanwhile, no UTPs were recommended in Kohima and Peren district, the release stated.