NHRC sends notice to Punjab Chief Secretary and IG(Prisons) on poison deaths in jails
New Delhi August 08, 2007 The National Human Rights Commission has sent a notice to IG(Prisons) and Chief Secretary, Punjab, calling for a factual report on the death of jail inmates due to poisoning. Taking suo-motu cognizance of a report which appeared in "The Tribune" on August 2, 2007, the Commission said that it was a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims.
As per the report, more than 40 mysterious deaths had occurred in Punjab jails recently due to insecticide poisoning. The report further raised the question as to how the insecticide reached the jail premises and how inmates consumed it. The report highlighted that the probability of someone providing milk or lassi mixed with poison to the inmates during meeting hours to settle scores without waiting for the outcome of the court case, could not be ruled out.
The Commission has given four weeks time to the State authorities for a factual report.
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As per the report, more than 40 mysterious deaths had occurred in Punjab jails recently due to insecticide poisoning. The report further raised the question as to how the insecticide reached the jail premises and how inmates consumed it. The report highlighted that the probability of someone providing milk or lassi mixed with poison to the inmates during meeting hours to settle scores without waiting for the outcome of the court case, could not be ruled out.
The Commission has given four weeks time to the State authorities for a factual report.
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