SHILLONG:
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Prisons) Sniawbhalang Dhar has said the government was yet to decide on the new location of the central jail.
Dhar said that earlier the central jail was proposed to be constructed at the New Shillong Township.
“However, some have advised us to consider some isolated area. Therefore, we are yet to decide on the new location for the central jail,” he said.
The deputy chief minister further informed that a meeting was also held between the Urban Affairs department and the Home department thrice.
“During the meeting, it was agreed that the Urban Affairs department will take over the property (where the existing Shillong district jail is located) and we will give them land in other places,” he said.
When asked, Dhar said, “It is high time to relocate it as a central jail couldn’t be located right at the heart of the city. We have taken the first step and we will see what to do next.”
Unlike other states, Meghalaya is yet to have its own central jail.
At present, the state has five district jails – Shillong, Williamnagar, Jowai, Tura and Nongpoh – and can accommodate 595 male and 55 female inmates.
In its report on the performance audit of management of prisons, the CAG had recommended the government to consider setting up jails in all districts and accelerate the trials of UTPs in a timebound manner.