88 under trial prisoners test positive for HIV in 2 Assam jails

Of the total HIV cases, 45 were found in special jail and the rest in Nagaon central jail. Jail authorities informed that most of those found HIV positive last month were already out on bail and only 32 remaining were lodged at present in both jails

Published on: Oct 10, 2021, 16:12:57 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Health authorities in Nagaon district of central Assam have detected prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among 88 prisoners lodged in two jails.

The under trials found infected with HIV in Assam jails were drug users who got infected due to use of an infected syringe by several users or from the same source. (AP Photo/Representative use)

Most of those who tested positive for the virus are under trial prisoners arrested in recent months as part of the new Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government’s special campaign against illegal drugs since May.

“88 prisoners, 80 men and 8 women, who tested positive in September alone are drug users who got infected due to use of the same syringe among several users or from the same source,” Dr LC Nath, superintendent of Nagaon Bhogeswari Phukanani Civil Hospital.

The fresh detection of HIV cases in Nagaon comes after 27 youths were found positive for the virus in neighbouring Marigaon district. According to a report by Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) released last month, the state has 19,545 HIV positive cases.

“The under trial prisoners who were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, were found positive during a special screening by ASACS,” said Arup Patangia, superintendent of Nagaon special jail which houses inmates from neighbouring Hojai district as well.

“Most of those found positive are in the 18-38 years age group. Apart from being peddlers, these inmates are drugs addicts as well and were infected prior to their arrests and didn’t get the virus as a result of using drugs inside the jail,” he added.

Of the total cases, 45 were found in special jail and the rest in Nagaon central jail. Jail authorities informed that most of those found positive last month were already out on bail and only 32 remaining were lodged at present in both jails.

“These under trial prisoners who were found positive were kept away from the convicted inmates and their treatment has begun,” said Abani Kumar Muktiar, superintendent of Nagaon central jail.

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A senior prison department official said that following the state government’s drive against illicit drugs, a HIV screening drive is underway in most prisons where arrested drug peddlers are being kept.

“Our department is conducting the screening in association with the health departments and ASACS. Few more HIV positives cases among those arrested under NDPS Act have been found in some other jails as well. Proper counselling and treatment of those inmates is underway,” said Barnali Sharma, inspector general of prisons, Assam.

Illegal drugs worth around ₹200 crore have been recovered and nearly 2000 persons involved in the drug trade have been arrested across Assam since May this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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