Paktika inmates complain of cold cells, inadequate food

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Prisoners at the central jail in Sharana, the capital of southeastern Paktika province, say they are exposed to the winter cold and are served inadequate and improper food.

One of them Shamsul Haq told Pajhwok Afghan News they had been provided no stove or heating facility in the cold weather and they were facing many problems.

“We have no stoves while the weather is very cold, we lack hot water facility, we live with a lot of difficulties.”

Another prisoner Rafique also said spending winter days and nights were hard in the prison in the absence of heating facilities. He said they were not served proper food as well.

He told Pajhwok: “There is no stove in the prison, we are not provided with hot water for performing ablution. We are not even given enough food. Ten people are given food which is not enough for seven people."

Besides lacking facilities, the prisoners also complain about the delay in investigation of their cases and urge the government to take necessary steps to solve their problems.

Deputy governor of Paktika Mohibullah Hamas, who visited the prison today to know the situation of the prisoners, told Pajhwok that stoves would be provided soon to the inmates and their other problems would also be resolved.

“I heard the problems of prisoners and instructed relevant authorities to take urgent measures, I am personally monitoring this process and trying to solve problems of prisoners as soon as possible."

Currently 65 prisoners are held in the Paktika Central Prison and most of them have been arrested on criminal charges.

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