The members of the Legislative and the Human Rights Committees of the National Assembly visited three prisons including the central Jail at Chamgang in Thimphu yesterday. The visit was to get first hand information about the inmates and their concerns regarding the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act. It will be deliberated in the upcoming session of the Parliament.
The Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Legislative Committee, MP Ritu Raj Chhetri, said they met those convicted for drugs abuse and drug peddling. “They had some issues saying the laws are not fair and not equitable with different sets of law for different people.”
The members also said the living conditions and facilities in the prisons were satisfactory.
“I saw clean clothing and the food was good and well taken care of…” said a member of the National Assembly’s Human Rights Committee Member, MP Pelzang Wangchuk.
Meanwhile, Most of the inmates shared that they need instructors for vocational trainings in prisons to help them earn a living once out of the prison.
