CUTTACK: The deplorable conditions in the Cuttack Circle jail at Choudwar have drawn the attention of the Orissa Human Rights Commission. The Commission has directed the Inspector-General of Prisons to probe the matter and submit a report to it by month-end. The Commission’s directives came in response to a petition filed by a student of Ravenshaw University who had been jailed along with two others following a clash between two groups of students in March this year. During their stay from March 16 to March 25, the students were not only witness to but also victims of the most pitiable and inhuman conditions in the jail. They were also allegedly subjected to gross ill-treatment by seasoned prisoners and jail officials. The petitioner said the conditions and atmosphere were not fit for stay of humans. The food provided to them was of the lowest standard while there had been no provisioning of drinking water. For drinking, they had to collect water from the tap of the toilets which were in most unhygienic conditions. Mohanty also alleged that they were also subjected to torture and made to serve the old prisoners. When they took up the deficiencies with the jail authorities, they were reportedly ill-treated and made victims of vindictive action. Alleging gross violation of human rights, Mohanty pleaded before the Commission to direct the authorities for taking corrective action and improving the conditions.
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