District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the purview of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) conducted 2ndquarterly meeting of Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) in their respective districts for April-June quarter.
A press release by NSLSA informed that during the quarterly meeting 34under trial prisoners from jails across Nagaland were recommended for release.
A committee comprising of principal/district and session judge, chairman; chief judicial magistrate cum-secretary, and deputy commissioners, superintendent of police, jail superintendent, lawyer from DLSA as members reviewed status of UTPs for release.
Others requiring medical treatment, legal aid counsel and issues during COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed and discussed during the meet.
In Dimapur, during the UTRC meeting 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, and 11 UTPs from Central Jail and three from District Jail were recommended for release on bail.
Mon: Mon DLSA UTRC meeting on June 25 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon recommended release of five UTPs eligible to be released on bail. DC Mon, Thavaseelan K also pressed for medical assistance for UTPs during the current crises. The committee also discussed on the segregation of the UTPs which has already been done. The district jail reportedly has 62 UTPs and 15 convicts.
Mokokchung: Mokokchung DLSA quarterly UTRC meeting was held on June 25 at District Court wherein the house discussed the Covid-19 safety concerns and jail authorities were advised to ensure close monitoring of inmates while ensuring safe transit of released inmates. Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung 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.
Kiphire: Kiphire DLSA held online 2nd quarterly UTRC meeting on July 3 and recommended one UTP under judicial custody for release while another inmate was recommended for medical treatment. The issue of vaccine reluctancy of Covid -19 was brought up and it was resolved to give proper awareness regarding the vaccination. Altogether four UTPs and one convict were lodged at District Jail, Kiphire as on July 3.
Tuensang: Tuensang DLSA conducted the meeting on May 29at 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.
Longleng: Longleng DLSAon June 24 conducted 2ndquarterly UTRC meeting through video conferencing and the committee recommended seven UTPs for release. While two UTPs were endorsed for legal aid counsel, two others were released post recommendation.
Phek: In Phek, the committee identified six UTPs and granted bail for release but could not be released 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.
Wokha: Wokha DLSA conducted 2ndquarterly UTRC meeting on June 9 at District Jail, Wokha. However, no UTP were observed to be requiring immediate medical attention, nor mandatory period of UTP was over and presently, no UTP at present was eligible for bail. The District Jail Wokha currently lodges 13 UTPs.
Zunheboto: Zunheboto DLSA conducted 2ndquarterlyUTRC meeting on July 2 at District Jail Zunheboto. At present there are 16 UTPs and three convicts. However, recommendation was made to set up separate Covid Care Centre for UTPs with proper security.
Meanwhile, the release informed that no UTPs were recommended in Kohima and Peren districts.