Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 28: Jammu and Kashmir, Prisons Department has announced restoration of ‘Mulaqaat Facility’ to the families with prisoners lodged in different jails. The ‘facility’ was earlier suspended in view of COVID-19 outbreak.

An media handout states that the department concerned has decided to resume ‘mulaqat facility’ in jails, which as per the handout, was stopped as ‘a precautionary measure to prevent spread of COVID-19 in jails.’

Citing an Order received from Directorate of Prisons, J&K, the handout reads that, inmates shall be allowed to have one interview/mulaqaat with their family members in a month and the number of family members shall be limited by the Superintendent Jail in accordance with rules.

Jail Superintendents, as per the Order have been asked to ensure mandatory follow-up of COVID-19 SOP/Protocol even as family members advised to carry COVID-19 negative test report (not older than 48 hours) with them for mulaqaat purposes.