SHILLONG: The High Committee set up by the state government and the sentence review committee had released a total number of 18 prisoners with 11 convicts and another seven prisoners being released on remission.
It may be mentioned that the release has been made in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive to release the prisoners on bail, interim bail and parole in order to decongest the jails due to the prevailing COVID-19 scenario.
Inspector General (Prisons), Mariahom Kharkrang, on Wednesday informed that they had released the prisoners after proper scrutiny. It was also informed that a total of 1,158 under-trial prisoners, who were locked in different district jails, have been released by various courts. Kharkrang, however, clarified that every case has been scrutinised and as per the rules and the ground of eligibility, they are being released.
Replying to a query, he said they have not released any prisoner involved in severe offences such as rape, POCSO and murder. “We are looking only at the cases which include lighter prison sentences,” Kharkrang said.
It may be recalled that on March 31, 94 prisoners were released from the Shillong District Jail.
The Social Welfare Department also informed that eight children in conflict with law were released on March 30 from the observation home (Boys) Mawkasiang, Shillong.