Chairperson, Nagaland State Human Rights Commission, Justice Songkhupchung Serto visited Central Jail & East Police Station, Dimapur on August 8 and interacted with police officials. (DIPR Photo)
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 9 (MExN): Chairperson, Nagaland State Human Rights Commission, Justice Songkhupchung Serto visited Central Jail & East Police Station, Dimapur on August 8. This was the second district visit after Kohima by the NSHRC chairperson after he took charge. He will also be visiting the rest of the districts.
During his visit, the chairperson went around the Central Jail and East Police Station premises and got a first-hand account of the prevalent conditions and the state of the prisoners lodged. Serto mentioned that the visit was to acquaint themselves in understanding the working conditions and system, to know if enough is been done to prevent violation of human rights and also whether enough preparations are there for protection.
He pointed out that most people come and complain against police violation of human rights, for which their visit is to understand how they are functioning in the State, whether they have infrastructure required to function effectively and whether they have adequate strength and resources, and to see how the inmates are treated.
He further informed that they will also be organizing seminar to spread awareness to the public by combining two to three districts together starting from Kohima and Dimapur.
According to reports from the Police, the total population of inmates at central jail, Dimapur as on August 8 are 250 out of which 179 are under trials, 15 under NSA, 43 RI Convicts, 12 SI Convicts and 1 Foreigner.
During the interaction, the officers appraised that they are struggling to cope with healthcare burden among prisoners, particularly problems related to mental health and substance misuse for which there is a need of full time doctors and nurses at central jail.
The officers informed the chairperson that vocational training is imparted to inmates by NGOs & PMKJVY in tailoring, handicrafts, sanitary pad making respectively. It was also mentioned that for the very first time, a stall exhibiting the inmate’s works will be displayed at the 77th Independence Day in Dimapur.
