Sindh Police asked to register fewer cases as jails restrict intake

KARACHI: As Sindh's jails restrict the intake of prisoners amid concerns of a coronavirus outbreak, some police officials have been asked to only register necessary cases.

Worried that the contagious disease could spread unchecked in the confines of jails, Prisons IG Nusrat Mangan had declared it mandatory to provide coronavirus clearance certificates for any new prisoners before they are put in any jails in the province.

Around 200 new inmates enter the province's prisons on a daily basis, with the potential to infect other prisoners who have little contact with the outside world.

In the meantime, new inmates are being separated from older prisoners for up to 14 days to prevent infection.

With the instructions about the mandatory medical certificate, DSP Lal Bux Solangi ordered Gadap City SHO Naimat Bhatti, the head muharrar and the duty officer to only register necessary cases.

Otherwise, they were told, they should refrain from lodging FIRs.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2020.