Mohammad Suffian:Fearing the transmission of coronavirus from positive inmates, over 500 prisoners quickly went on a hunger strike initially on Tuesday. Inmates have threatened to resume their agitation if demands are not met.
Over 500 prisoners in Odisha’s Rourkela jail had recently gone on a hunger strike and asked for the transfer of six Covid-19 positive inmates to a different ward, besides conducting tests for all inmates and jail staff.
All those who protested were apprehensive of six undertrial coronavirus positive prisoners who are lodged in the same jail. It may be noted that keeping Covid-19 positive inmates in the same jail — instead of a specialised ward — has caused widespread resentment among other prisoners.
Fearing the transmission of coronavirus from positive inmates, over 500 prisoners quickly went on a hunger strike initially on Tuesday. While the inmates suspended protests on Wednesday night, they have threatened that they will continue with their strike if demands are not fulfilled by authorities.
Prison DG Santosh Upadhyay confirmed the development to India Today TV and said the strike was called off on late on Wednesday. However, when asked about their demands of the Swab test and shifting of Covid-19 positive inmates, he responded saying that district authorities are dealing with it.
Meanwhile, swab samples of 127 inmates have been sent and reports of the test are awaited.
Speaking to India Today TV, Social Activist Satya Prakash questioned how the district administration and jail authorities can act in such an “irresponsible” manner and keep Covid-19 positive inmates inside the jail instead of a specialised isolation ward.
Prakash said the lives of hundreds of other inmates are being risked. “They have every right to get treatment, how can administration run away from its responsibilities of giving proper treatment to those tested positive?” he questioned.
