The Punjab Jails Department has mooted a proposal to release around 3,000 drug peddlers and 2,800 petty criminals lodged in various jails in the state to curb prison overcrowding and contain coronavirus outbreak.

Exclusive interview by the Punjab Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and a news article by The Times of India confirms the proposal.

Exclusive interview by the Punjab Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and a news article by The Times of India confirms the proposal.In the interview, Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that he has sent a proposal to the Punjab government for the release of 2800 inmates who are lodged in jails for petty crimes like snatching and 3000 criminals who were caught with small quantity drugs should be released over the coronavirus outbreak. Further, he added that the final decision is yet to be taken.

Similarly, The Times of India states that Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had proposed to the government to release the prisoners to prevent the spread of coronavirus outbreak in jails.

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