COVID-19: Central jail Jammu, Kotbalwal inmates petition Chief Justice JK, seek conditional release | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 27 (KNO): The prisoners lodged in central jail Jammu and Kotbalwal have made a representation to the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kahsmir High Court, Jammu for considering their releases on conditional and temporary grounds in view of COVID-19 pandemic. According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the detainees, under-trials and convicts have made a representation to the Chief Justice Jammu High Court through Superintendent of Jail central jail Jammu. According to the representation, they have sought their release on conditional and temporary grounds in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic which is spreading fast. In the representation, copy of which lies with KNO, they has mentioned that there are all apprehensions that this pandemic disease may break out in jail having all the conducive and favorable environment. "It is known to all that jails in Jammu and Kashmir lack emergency and medical facilities even in the normal conditions. The medical staff available in the jails is not even competent to control the common flu if it becomes viral. How can such incompetent and insufficient staff be able to prove of any help in such a critical situation, " the representation reads. The representation further reads that the inmates are also worried about their families as a countrywide lock-down has been announced and meeting facility has also been discarded recently keeping in view the COVID-19 threat. "It can prove very disastrous if any inmate gets exposed to virus in the jail. We have no such options in the jail to maintain social distance as has been advised by the experts to prevent spread of the disease, " it reads. They have also mentioned that they being the part and parcel of this human society will be attended graciously and their genuine grievances will be compassionately addressed—(KNO)