The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the State Chief Secretary to submit an action-taken report (ATR) within four weeks regarding rights to live of the prisoners in different jails of the State.
Acting on a complaint filed by Angul-based rights body Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, the Commission has issued the notice on December 31 last year.
The petitioner basing on RTI information alleged that more number of prisoners even twice are staying at several jails like in Baragharh, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Rayagada, Angul and 12 other jails than the scheduled accommodation from the category of under trail and convicted prisoners violating their rights to live even after punishment.
This implies, the complainant alleged, dual punishment for the same offence which is the mental shock during the punishment period, besides urging the Commission to ensure emergent action against the concerned authority and compensate the prisoners facing the problems in daily basis.