Punjab: 6000 prisoners to be released on parole to decongest prisons amid COVID-19 crisis

In order to avoid congestion in prisons, Punjab government, on Thursday, decided to send 6000 prisoners from across state on Parole for six weeks. 6000 prisoners only include those who were sentenced to less than 7 years of imprisonment.

While interacting with media about parole to prisoners, Punjab's jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "To decongest prisons in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Punjab is giving parole to 6000 prisoners from jails across state, se are prisoners who were sentenced to less than 7 years in prison." 

ding furr, he stated that prisoners who are alrey out on parole will be given a 6-week extension.  minister informed that re were around 24,000 prisoners lodged in 24 jails across state against  authorized capacity of 23,488. primary aim was to protect health of prisoners and restrict transmission of COVID-19 by decongestion of prisons.

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Punjab Govt Warns Of Strict action against lockdown violators

Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh h anunced new curfew guidelines to ease problems amidst Coronavirus lockdown and also warned of strict action against violators and people who are under home quarantine. 

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Coronavirus in India 

According to latest Health Ministry data available on Thursday, India so far has 649 positive cases of dely Coronavirus and at least 13 deaths have been reported so far. Amid rising cases of COVID-19 virus in country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday anunced a 21-day lockdown across nation starting Tuesday midnight.  He accentuated need for 21 days, that were necessary for breaking transmission chain of pandemic. 21-day curfew applies to all states, districts, and vills across country - irrespective of wher y are currently under curfew or t.  

"From midnight, across country, re will be countrywide lockdown in India. re will be a complete restriction of leaving out from residence.  All districts, vill will be locked down. This is curfew only -a stricter curfew than Janta curfew. We have to bear ecomic consequences because of this. But to save every Indian's life at this time is my and government's responsibility," Prime Minister said. 

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