STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: With detection of 217 new positive cases of novel Corona virus — 116 from Jammu division and 101 from Kashmir division-on Wednesday, the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir swelled to 1,20,744.
Officials said one death was also reported from Jammu Division during the past 24 hours.
Over 2.7 K undertrials, 41 convicts released in J&K
Jammu: Over 2,700 undertrials and 41 convicts were released in Jammu and Kashmir as part of measures to ensure social distancing in jails amid the coronavirus pandemic, an official said on Wednesday.
Two elderly prisoners died of COVID-19, while 533 other inmates recovered from the infection after successful treatment, the director general of prisons, V K Singh, said.
“As many as 2,703 undertrials have been released on bail and 41 convicts on normal parole this year on the recommendation of a high-powered committee, which was constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court to decongest jails to ensure social distancing among the prisoners,” Singh told PTI on the sidelines of an event at Amphalla jail in Jammu.
The panel met eight times through video conference under the chairmanship of Justice Rajesh Bindal, the acting chief justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, and recommended the release of the undertrials and 41 convicts.
A total of 536 inmates in various jails have tested positive for coronavirus so far. While 533 of them recovered, two elderly prisoners, both in their 70s, died, according to Singh.
One prisoner, who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in Srinagar Central Jail is still under treatment, while 141 inmates are under quarantine across the prisons, he said.
The nearly two-hour-long cultural programme saw a spectacular performance by jail inmates, prompting chief guest Justice Bindal suggesting a platform to allow them perform outside the prison as a special case.
Justice Bindal appreciated the efforts made by jail authorities for the welfare of the prisoners.
Earlier, jail superintendent Mirza Saleem Ahmad Beig underlined various steps being taken in the prison for reformation of prisoners and improving prison administration.
He highlighted that the department is working towards making jails self-reliant and providing better living conditions and training facilities to the inmates.
Moreover, 270 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 128 from Jammu Division and 142 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin, out of 1,20,744 positive cases, 3,034 are Active Positive, 1,15,830 have recovered and 1,880 have died; 695 in Jammu division and 1,185 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 37,92,251 test results available, 36,71,507 samples have been tested as negative till December 30, 2020.
Till date 8,81,601 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 12,885 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 3,034 in isolation and 30,845 in home surveillance. Besides, 8,32,957 persons have completed their surveillance period.
