Maharashtra mulling to shift inmates from jails in drought-hit areas

Jail authorities in Maharashtra are considering shifting inmates from drought-hit Beed and Latur districts in view of the acute water scarcity in the areas.

“We have prepared a contingency plan for shifting the jail inmates in these districts. So far, no inmate has been shifted, but we will do so if the situation warrants,” a top official said.

If the situation demands, the prisoners will be shifted to places like Nashik and Dhule, the official said.

The move comes amid decision by officials in drought-hit Parbhani town, which is experiencing an unprecedented water scarcity this summer, imposing prohibitory orders near water supply spots in the town.

“Orders under section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the vicinity of the water supply spots in Parbhani,” Parbhani district collector Rahul Mahiwal had said.

The orders will be in force from April 4 to May 3.

The development came after police in Latur decided to deploy police at water supply spots in that town if the situation demands.

“The municipal corporation has already deployed home guards at the water tanks. If needed, we will deploy police there to prevent law and order issue over water supply,” Latur Superintendent of Police Dnyaneshwar Chavan had said.

“There are six main water tanks in Latur. There is already a police chowki next to one of the tanks. We have increased patrolling in these areas,” Chavan had said.

Amid an unprecedented scarcity of water, district collector Pandurang Pol last month clamped section 144 of CrPC in drought-stricken Latur to bar assembly of more than five people around the wells and water filling points to prevent possible violence.