M A I N   N E W S

Another jail inmate dies
Inquest ordered; NHRC informed
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Jan 25 — Another inmate of the local central jail, Singhe Ram (46), and undergoing 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for smuggling narcotics, died under mysterious circumstances at the civil hospital minutes after he was brought here in an unconscious state.

Official sources said Singhe Ram who suffered fits in the jail, was referred to the emergency wing of the civil hospital by the jail doctor. He collapsed a few minutes after reaching the hospital, located close to the jail.

This is the second death that took place in the past 24 days. Jagdish Singh (28), a suspect in a case of attempt to murder, died under mysterious circumstances on the jail premises on January 1.

Such incidents have been happening at the jail which is filled beyond capacity of 500. As many as 1,200 inmates are in the jail at present. Last year, a series of such deaths took place which raised eyebrows.

Mr Hardev Arshi, CPI Leader in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, also approached the Punjab State Human Rights Commission for a probe into the jail deaths. He also expressed concern over the plight of the jail inmates.

Mr Swaran Singh, jail Superintendent, said Singhe Ram, who hailed from Mohindergarh district of Haryana, suffered a fit and was rushed to the hospital where he collapsed within a few minutes. He said Singhe Ram had suffered a heart attack.

Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted, said an inquest into the inmate’s death, had been ordered. He said the National Human Rights Commission, Punjab State Human Rights Commission and Punjab Government had been informed about the incident.

The central jail authorities had also informed about the death to the Punjab Government and Inspector-General (Prison), besides the National Human Rights Commission.

According to information, the inmates have been facing various problems due to overcrowding. The jail authorities had to pitch up tents to accommodate the increasing rush of undertrials and convicts in the recent past.