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GUJRANWALA, June 13: Prisoners at central jail are leading a subhuman life owing to overcrowding in this scorching heat. Overcrowding is reportedly causing suffocation and mostly prisoners cannot sleep at night and are suffering from allergies.
A source requesting anonymity told this correspondent that 4,000 prisoners had been detained against a capacity of 900 people.
He said no better facilities were being provided to them in accordance with the jail manual. Some prisoners who were being escorted from the jail to courts told Dawn that almost all barracks were overcrowded as a result of which they could not sleep at night due to heat and suffocation.
They said ceiling fans in barracks were not functioning, demanding basic facilities like cold drinking water and fans.
When contacted, a jail official said new barracks were under construction and as soon as these were completed, prisoners would be shifted there.
He claimed that inmates were being provided with better facilities according to the jail manual, which were repeatedly checked by higher authorities during their visits.
Dacoits strikes: Dacoits deprived women and landlords of cash, gold jewellery and vehicles in four strikes in and around the city here on Tuesday.
Reports said as many as three outlaws forced their entry into the house of Fatima Begum in Samanabad by scaling the boundary wall. They held hostage the inmates and took away Rs125,000, 19-tola gold jewellery and other valuables
In the second incident, two robbers intercepted as many landlords Ashraf and Zulfikar when they were on their way to Mandiala Mir Shakaran, Ladheywala Warriach by a motorcycle. They made off with a cash of Rs144,000, two mobile phones and shot injured Ashraf on resistance. Three bandits intercepted Muhammad Tayyab of People’s colony when he was on his way home by his motorcycle (GAR-4669) from the market. They took away Rs500 and his bike.
Thieves lifted car (LZC-2136) of one Sohail Butt from Baghbanpura. He had parked it outside his house and found the vehicle missing after some time.
Police have registered a case and are investigating.
DEFAULTERS: The excise and taxation department has sealed properties of over 2,500 defaulters and served final notices on 7,000 tax evaders.
This was stated by excise and taxation officer Syed Uzair Shah at a briefing here on Tuesday.
He said around 10,000 defaulters had not cleared their outstanding dues for the last many years despite issuance of final notices. He said the department had no other option except to seal their properties.
