Urban Affairs dept refuses land for central jail

SHILLONG: The Urban Affairs Department has refused to provide land to construct a central jail for Meghalaya at Mawdiangdiang despite the overcrowding of Shillong jail.
Shillong jail, which has a capacity to house 150 prisoners, currently has over 400 inmates.
The jail authorities are perplexed over the phenomenon which is due to the rise in various crimes, especially those related to rape and narcotics.
An official with the jail department said the department had sought land from the Urban Affairs Department at Mawdiangdiang, but in vain.
“The Urban Affairs Department informed us recently that no land is available at Mawdiangdiang,” the official said.
Besides overcrowding, the prison, which houses the inmates of seven districts of the State, is also facing security related problems.
“Currently, there is no problem with food, but the concerns are accommodations to over 400 prisoners and this also adds to the issue of security of Shillong jail,” an official source said.
Earlier, security concerns were raised over the upcoming five-star hotel close to Shillong jail. Moreover, there are many residential buildings in the vicinity of Shillong jail.