Dimapur, March 31 (MExN): The first quarterly Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) meetings under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) were conducted in six districts in the month of March.
According to a press release from the NSLSA on Wednesday, during the meetings a total of eight Under Trail Prisoners (UTPs) or convicts were identified for consideration by UTRC, four UTPs were released on the recommendation of the committee and one accused was identified for providing legal aid.
The meetings were chaired by the respective District & Sessions Judge-cum-DLSA Chairperson with DLSA Secretaries or district magistrates, Superintendents of Police, jail superintendents and officers from the District Administration, and panel lawyers from DLSAs.
The release stated that there are 224 UTPs and 81 convicts in central and district jails in Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Phek, Wokha and Zunheboto there are 224 UTPs and 81 convicts. While Wokha and Zunheboto districts did not recommend any UTP/Convicts for consideration by UTRC for bail/ release, in Dimapur, one UTP who required specialized medical treatment was identified. However, no recommendation was made for release, it stated.
The release stated that under Phek district jail, three UTPs were identified for release and bail was granted, however, no sureties were furnished. The meeting further observed that there are no separate/cells for the convicts and UTPs, it said.
In Mokokchung, the committee identified 2 two accused persons under section 436 Cr. Pc and were recommended for release.
Accordingly, they were released on bail bond. Additionally, two accused who had been earlier released on bail but unable to furnish bail bond were also released on PR bond. Another accused person was identified for providing legal aid, the release stated.
Under Kohima district jail, one UTP who was released on bail by the court but have not been able to furnish sureties and another UTP on compoundable offences were identified for consideration by UTRC and further moved for recommendation. The committee stated that UTPs recommended in the previous sittings were not present in the present sitting. It also discussed issues regarding UTP cell at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, the release stated.
