July 24, 2020: In order to decongest the prisons of the state, the Assam government may release a large number of prisoners lodged in various jails of the state.

The decision comes after over 500 inmates of the Guwahati central jail were tested positive recently. Prisoners in several other jails too have been infected with Covid-19.

A total of 376 jail inmates including 111 from Guwahati central jail may be released in the next few weeks. Prisoners from 9 other jails too will be released.

Over 6800 prisoners have been released from different jails since March this year.

Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court on Thursday has asked the authorities to file an affidavit on the measures taken to check Covid-19 in the state's prisons.

It is to be mentioned that a 200-bedded Covid hospital has been readied at the Guwahati central jail after some Covid positive prisoners shifted to Sonapur hospital escaped from there.