The Jail Committee members assess infrastructure and conduct legal awareness programmes at the Central Jail in Chümoukedima and the District Jail in Dimapur.
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DIMAPUR — The Jail Committee members conducted a jail visitation and awareness programme at the Central Jail in Chümoukedima and the District Jail in Dimapur on Saturday.
The committee comprised Neiko Akami, Member Secretary of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA); K Hamtok Phom, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons; and Solezhol Neikha, Senior Superintendent of Central Jail in Chümoukedima, along with Longshithung Ezung, Principal District and Session Judge and Chairman of the Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), accompanied by the retainer lawyer, panel lawyers, and Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) of Dimapur.
According to an update, the members had a meeting at the Office of the Senior Superintendent of Jail, Chümoukedima, followed by the visitation of the jail and an awareness programme with the inmates.
During the meeting, the members discoursed on the issue of infrastructure and the welfare of the inmates and also on the issue of hospitalised inmates. The members resolved to recommend and put up before the Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital to construct an iron bar door for the under trial prisoners’ (UTPs) cell for security reasons at the hospital.
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It was mentioned that the total male inmates in Central Jail are 185, comprising 109 UTPs, 55 convicts, 16 National Security Act (NSA) detentions, and seven PITNDPS. The total number of inmates provided legal aid is 26.
The jail has provided computer training, distance education, and vocational training, such as tailoring, carpentry, sanitary pad making, manufacturing LED lights, repairing, and handicrafts, to the inmates. Incomes derived are being saved in their accounts, which will be issued to the concerned inmates after they are released from the jail.
The visitation programme on legal awareness was followed, wherein Nishela Assumi, panel lawyer, chaired the programme. Neiko Akami addressed the inmates regarding their legal rights and updated the status of the cases for those who have preferred appeals and premature release.
Lonshithung Ezung briefed the inmates on the new scheme of NALSA, "Mulaqat Se Nyay Tak LEGAL AID DESH", where panel lawyers will be deputed in both the respective jails during mulaqat timing to interact with the visiting family members and inmates in coordination with prison officials every week.
Solezhol Neikha encouraged the inmates to reform and become responsible citizens after being released from the jail, acknowledged the members for visiting the jail, and provided refreshments to the inmates. Zubemo Ovung, Jailor of Central Jail, expressed words of thanks to the members present.
Thereafter, the members visited the District Jail, wherein the committee members recommended constructing a new barrack for males and a ward convict block, constructing a block or workshed for proper training and rehabilitation of the inmates, installing a European toilet in the female ward, and constructing two septic tanks in the male ward.
There is a total of 68 inmates, comprising 58 males and 10 females, with the total number of inmates provided legal aid standing at 22.
After the meeting, the members had an awareness programme where Kiyekali, panel lawyer, chaired the programme. Neiko Akami, Longshithung Ezung, and Solezhol Neikha apprised the inmates about their rights and the status of their cases; identified some UTPs who are not represented by lawyers; highlighted the NALSA "Mulaqat Se Nyay Tak LEGAL AID DESH" scheme; and encouraged the inmates to reform and take the opportunity to learn a vocation during their stay in jail.
Sangto Longchar, Assistant LADC, shared about the role and function of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dozhoyi Cukhami, Jailor of District Jail, Dimapur.