India Maoist bandh, high court order yield result

RANCHI: The chief minister on Friday approved premature release of 51 convicts after Maoists called for a statewide shutdown in support of the prisoners’ cause.
Taking cognizance of the Jharkhand high court order to submit reports on the inmates, Hemant Soren finally convened the meeting of the State sentence Review Board (SSRB) pending for more than a year and approved premature release of 51 convicts after considering 106 applications.
Chairing the SSRB meet, Soren clarified that though the board could compassionately take a decision to release the prisoners convicted for life, it should not be considered a right of the convicts. “While considering the applications receive for premature release of life convict it is necessary to consider the criminal background of the individual and also the potential impact on society and his family, if released,” he said. Soren clarified that the remaining applications could also be considered but after thorough verification of the background.
The meeting was attended by chief secretary RS Sharma, principal secretary home NN Pandey, ADG CID SN Pradahan and other officials of the home and prison department. Meanwhile, life remained almost paralysed in rural parts of the state. The 24 hours bandh called by Maoists affected normal life in Bermo sub-division comprising naxal prone blocks and areas like Jhumra and Upperghat in Bokaro.
A dipalidated building under Nawadih police station of the district was blown off by the Maoists. As the building was abandoned no one was injured in the incident. The coal and ash transportation in coal mines and power plant also were crippled. The commercial vehicles also remained off the roads including long route buses. In Gumla the bandh was highly effective with vehicles remaining off road and shops remaining closed. Bauxite carriage was affected in Lohardgga whereas transportation of minerals in West singhbhum was also affected.