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Orissa lawyers' stir hits undertrials

Hundreds of undertrials are languishing in jails due to the nearly one-month cease-work agitation by lawyers in Orissa.

"The agitation has left undertrials in the lurch as they are unable to move bail petitions," said Subhas Panda, a human rights activist.

The prisoners are suffering increasingly as the lawyers are firm about continuing the agitation till the government withdraws a professional tax.

The lawyers have decided to continue their stir till January 6, 2001, when they will decide about their future action.

Sources in the home department admitted that due to the agitation, jails have become overcrowded. "The jails were overcrowded and the strike has only worsened the conditions," sources said.

A senior official of the prison department told rediff.com that the stir had stalled the release of over 1000 undertrials in a month. "The strike has added 3000 prisoners," he said.

There are 68 jails in the state, including district and circle jails, with a maximum capacity of 7,500 prisoners, while the present strength is over 12,000.

The Bhubaneswar special jail has a capacity to house 203 prisoners, but there are over 600 prisoners.

Sources in the state government said that similar conditions were prevalent at other circle jails in Berhampur and Cuttack and at the Rourkela special jail.

Besides, the agitation has worsened living conditions in jails.

Joint Inspector General of Prisons Lingraj Khadanga said that it had also affected the health of those remanded recently, lifers and those undergoing trial for many months and even years.

In recent months, several undertrials have died, allegedly due to unhealthy living conditions and lack of medical facilities in the jails.

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