Imphal, January 11: The Human Rights Law network (Manipur) winding up its examination of police lock-ups in various districts of the State has categorised conditions of the preliminary detention centres as �pathetic� with almost all basic amenities found absent.

A team of the network headed by its Co-ordinator M Rakesh recently examined the lock-ups of Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Senapati districts after obtaining due permission from the manipur human Rights Commission on December 8, last year.

In its report submitted to the Rights panel, the law body stated that the lock-ups are not fit and healthy to confine inmates/accused.

"It is obvious that one cannot expect 5 Star hotel treatment in the lock-ups but it is a basic fundamental right to have healthy atmosphere inside the lock-ups," the report said.

Regarding basic amenities, the report highlighted absence of bedding materials like mattresses, pillow, quilt and mosquito net in the lock-ups with the inmates forced to sleep on the moist cement floors.

the soiled blankets provided to the inmates are not sufficient to withstand the chilly winter nights, it stated.

Neither are water sources like water filters or water reservoir made available to the inmates with the detained persons depending on the mercy of the security personnel manning the lock-ups to quench their thirst.

On fooding, the report mentioned that the facility is only available at the Imphal police station with the police officer concerned conveying to the visiting team that the State Government is making provisions for feeding the inmates at a meagre Rs 4.50 per meal.

Foods are provided to the inmates from their own pockets, it said and added that foods prepared by the inmates� families are also allowed to be served inside the lock-ups.

Lack of doctors to cater to emergency medical requirements of the detained inmates was also pointed out by the Network team who nevertheless stated that inmates are evacuated to the nearest hospital or health centres when the need arises.

On the lock-up structures, it mentioned that the detention cells are no better than zoo cages and most of them not provided with adequate lights.

Almost all the lock-ups have pathetic sanitary system.

No reading materials are also provided, it added.

Having perused the Network�s report the MHRC yesterday maintained that it would be most convenient if conditions of all the lock-ups in the State are examined.

Hence the Commission informed the petitioners (Law Network) to examine the remaining lock-ups in the hill districts in order to examine the whole matter together.

The petitioners were awarded six weeks time for further examination and fixed February 23 for further proceedings on the issue.

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