SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is against the plan of the government to convert the land at Mawdiangdiang meant for construction of a central jail for holding National Games.
The MHRC has taken a suo motu case against the state government’s plan in this regard based on media reports quoting the statement of former DG, Prisons RP Agarwal.
A statement by the MHRC said the division bench headed by its chairperson, Aftab Hussain Saikia, and member PJP Hanaman heard the matter and took the suo motu case as it goes against human rights.
The MHRC said the matter is “very serious” as it relates to gross violation of human rights of jail inmates, whether convicts, under trials or foreign nationals.
The commission in its recent order directed the state government through the chief secretary to take necessary action and submit a detailed status report on the issue within 60 days.
The members of the MHRC headed by its chairperson along with former DG, Prisons, had visited Shillong jail on March 15 this year and one of its recommendations was that the government should immediately take initiative for construction of additional barracks and buildings to tide over the problem of overcrowding in the jail.
Recently, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had told media persons that the Sports Department got 50 acres of land in New Shillong Township for constructing a stadium.
The stadium project will be funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the total sanctioned amount is Rs 300 crore.
It was also informed that 70 acres have been identified at Mawdiangdiang for construction of the Games Village.
