By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 13 Aug: A team of the Uttarakhand Child Rights Protection Commission (UCRPC) led by Chairperson Dr Geeta Khanna and comprising member Vinod Kaparwan and Under Secretary Dr SK Singh conducted a surprise inspection of the jail located in Suddhowala.
During the surprise inspection, it was noticed that the jailor Pawan Kumar Kauthari has ensured arrangements for the prisoners as per the rules and that mental and intellectual development of the prisoners is also being taken care of.
Dr Khanna informed Garhwal Post that, during the inspection, it was also seen that the facility of crèche had also been provided for the children of mothers in prison. Counselling of all the women prisoners in the jail is done from time to time. She added that the NGOs associated with the jail are also doing commendable work. The kitchen of the jail was also found to be clean and hygienic. She added that the jailor has arranged for radio for the prisoners, and they are allowed to communicate with their relatives and acquaintances once a week over the phone.
Dr Khanna also observed that special attention has been paid to the greenery and gardening in the jail.
Two children of a mother who is a prisoner in jail live with their mother of their own will. Of them, one child is 12 years old, who has been kept outside the jail as no child above 6 years is permitted to stay inside the jail. Regarding the 12 year old child, Dr Khanna directed the prison staff to keep the child in a children’s home, and also emphasised on teaching handicraft work to the women prisoners in the jail to empower them for the future by developing their mental and intellectual faculties.
During the inspection, Dr Khanna also urged the jail staff that iron and vitamin D supplements be distributed among women prisoners and children, so that they can be protected against iron and vitamin deficiency.
In addition, the Commission also held a hearing in the case of Madrasa Jamia Tussalam Islamia located at Azad Colony, Dehradun, which has been accused of running illegally and has been in the news recently. In the hearing, Mufti Rais Ahmed, Manager Razia Baig and Khurshid Ahmed were present. The Madrasa Manager presented the documents of the society to the Commission and informed that an application has been made to the Madrasa Education Council for recognition. The Madrasa is presently not recognised as a school and it was admitted by the madrasa management that the children receiving education in the Madrasa are not studying in regular schools but it was claimed that the primary education is also provided in Madrasas and religious education is provided in Madrasas only at the request of parents. The Commission directed the Madrasa management to obtain all the desired clearances, approvals and the necessary documents which include land utility documents, fire NOC, NOC from State Government, Madrasa’s contract documents with Paras Doon Hospital, complete residential details of parents of 56 children in Dehradun and approval certificate for construction of Madrasa building from MDDA and a report from Samagra Shiksha and Chief Education Officer on why the Education Department has not taken cognisance of the children studying in Madrasas who are out of school till date.
