NHRC notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Prisons, Punjab over the reported hunger strike by the Bathinda jail prisoners demanding better facilities; Also asks its Special Rapporteur to inspect the jail and submit a report

New Delhi, 17th May, 2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suomotu cognizance of a media report that some prisoners lodged inside Bathinda Central Jail went on hunger strike demanding better facilities, including among others, the increase in the number and duration of phone calls to their families and lawyers in pursuance of the Prison Manual. Reportedly, such a strike by the prisoners is not new to this jail as in the year 2021 also some prisoners had gone on a hunger strike alleging poor food quality.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a serious concern about the basic human rights of the prisoners as permitted under law. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Prisons, Punjab calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The reports must contain the steps taken or proposed to be taken as per Model Prison Manual, 2016. Apart from this, the Commission has also asked its Special Rapporteur, Mr. Mahesh Singla to inspect the Bathinda Central Jail and submit a report at the earliest.

According to the media report, carried on 15th May, 2023, the prisoners have also been demanding facilities to go outside the barracks for walks and smooth top-up of their canteen cards, which are presently facing issues. They are asking for the installation of televisions in their barracks, for entertainment. About 15 days back also, these inmates had gone on a hunger strike but called it off after an assurance from the jail authorities to look into their demands.

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