NHRC sends notice to Punjab Chief Secretary, IG(Prisons)

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission has sent a notice to Punjab Chief Secretary and IG(Prisons), seeking a factual report within four weeks on the death of jail inmates due to poisoning.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of an August 2 news report, the Commission said it was a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims.

According to the report, more than 40 mysterious deaths had occurred in Punjab jails recently due to insecticide poisoning.

It raised questions as to how the insecticide reached the jail premises and how the inmates consumed it.

The report said the probability of someone providing milk or 'lassi' mixed with poison to the inmates during meeting hours to settle scores could not be ruled out.

UNI