NHRC seeks info on de-addiction centres

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to chief secretaries of all the States and Union Territories (UTs) and the Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment seeking a report on the de-addiction centres.

The NHRC wanted to know how many de-addiction centres are presently available with the Government Sector, can private entities be allowed to set up de-addiction centres, are there any rules or regulations framed under the NDPS Act to regulate the de-addiction centres as mandated in Section 71 of NDPS Act.

It also asked as to what is the mechanism for providing training to the persons employed in such de-addiction centres; and to specify the mechanisms to regulate private de-addiction centres including charges/fees, employment of staff, counsellor, medical staff, food supplied and overall upkeep of such rehabilitation centres.

This came after the NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report of yet another death of an inmate at a private drug de-addiction centre, which is the third such incident in the recent past.

Reportedly, a 24-year-old man was beaten to death by the people running a De-addiction Centre in Chandramani area of Dehradoon, Uttarakhand on 10th April, 2023.

Prior to this, the Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of two similar incidents at De-addiction Centres in NOIDA and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and the reports have been sought.

The Commission has observed that all three rehabilitation centres, two in UP and one in Uttarakhand were being run by private entities. It needs serious consideration as to whether the De-addiction Centres can be allowed to be operated by private entities, and if it is so, whether State(s) have ensured sufficient safety measures in place to protect the interest of the inmates with a view to achieving the desired goal.

Notices have also been issued to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand calling for a detailed report in the instant case of the death of an inmate at Dehradoon Rehab Centre.

The reports should include the present status of the investigation of the case and compensation and relief, if any, provided to the Next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on 13th April, 2023, the patients of the Dehradoon De-addiction Centre, have said that their beatings were frequent and routine, as were hunger and lack of hygiene. No doctor or counsellor ever visited the centre.

Dalu, Asiragre under grip of African Swine Fever

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 6: The state government has declared Dalu and Asiragre villages under Dalu Block in West Garo Hills District as ‘epicenters’ of African Swine Fever.

This was based on the test result of pig tissue samples dated March 30, 2023, regarding confirmation of the African Swine Fever outbreak in Meghalaya by the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) Guwahati vide letter dated March 31, 2023, Secretary in-charge AH & Veterinary Dr Manjunatha C said in a notification issued today.

As per the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the restrictions are applicable with immediate effect in the villages under 1 (one) a kilometre radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Infected Zone” and in all villages falling under 10 KM radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Surveillance Zone”.

Restrictions in the Infected Zone:

The notification said there shall be no movement of pigs, genetic material, meat, feeds, equipment, veterinary medicine from Infected Zone into Surveillance Zones and Disease-Free Zone.

All equipment/supplies associated with pig should not be moved out of the pig sheds/pig farms in Infected Zones.

The pig farm owners and pig handlers shall maintain hygiene and bio-security in pig farms and restrict entry of people into farm premises.

There shall be restrictions of the movement of people to the infected premises.

There shall be a complete prohibition of the movement of pig handlers from one pig shed to another.

Vehicles shall be allowed to move out of the infected zone only after cleaning and disinfection.

If pigs are swill-fed, the source of the swill feed should be traced for identification of other possible contact premises.

No person is allowed to take out any pig alive or dead which is infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

No person is allowed to take out any pig feed or bedding materials or other materials namely carcass, skin or other parts or products of such animals which has come in contact with any animal infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

The carcasses shall not be allowed to move out of the infected premises and shall be disposed of in the infected premises itself.

In case of exception where carcass disposal is not possible, the transport of carcasses should be undertaken by the agencies under the control of the District Veterinary office following strict biosecurity protocols and using leakproof vehicles.

The dead pigs should be should be disposed of by deep burial with sufficient lime cover only and not thrown in rivers/canals/streams/water bodies.

After the carcasses have been disposed of, the premises and any potentially contaminated vehicle and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Preliminary disinfection of infected premises should be carried out under the direction and supervision of Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Secondary disinfection shall be carried out by the owner in accordance with the direction of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Contaminated feed, slurry, swill, bedding, farm waste products, litter in infected premises shall be disposed of by deep burial.

There shall be a complete ban on the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork and pork products in the Infected Zone.

Swill feeding (kitchen and restaurant waste) of pigs is prohibited.

Pig markets and abattoirs in the infected zone should strictly be closed down.

The District Veterinary Officer and RRT shall take steps locally to ensure that everyone in and around the infected zone is made aware of the restrictions and requirements in force there.

Local institutions such as Municipalities, village Dorbars, Dolloi, Headmen, Nokmas etc, shall assist the Veterinary Officers/RRT in the discharge of their duties and take necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease as provided under Section 30 of the Act.

Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, canal or any other water body the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected with ASF, shall be guilty of any offence and on conviction, be punished in the cases of a first offence with a fine of two thousand rupees or with imprisonment of one month in case of non-payment of fine and in case of subsequent conviction with a fine of five thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both as provided under Section 33 of the Act.

Under Section 40 of the Act every Competent Officer, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and Veterinary Officer while exercising any power or performing any duty under the said Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.