A total of 52 inmates belonging to the banned separatist group United Liberation Front of Assam – Independent – ULFA (I), have tested positive for COVID19 infection at Dibrugarh Central Jail, claim news reports.

It is reported that the prison presently houses 530 inmates, out of which, 223 were tested for the infection and in the last couple of days, 52 have been found infected. The inmates who tested positive for coronavirus have been kept in isolation inside the prison’s premises.

Those infected also include Jibon Moran, the leader of the banned group who recently returned to the mainstream after being underground for three decades.

Moran, a self-styled ‘Major General’ of ULFA (I) and formerly a close aide of Paresh Baruah, the founder of the group, had resigned from his positions in the banned outfit and had returned to mainstream citing health reasons.

Also Read: Decongest prisons to prevent COVID-19 spread, says Supreme Court

Assam’s Dibrugarh is among the worst affected districts in the state with 445 new COVID19 cases in the past 24 hours.

Also, the state has been breaking its COVID19 records off late. On Monday, May 17, it registered 92 COVID-19 deaths, its highest so far in a single-day.

In the last 24 hours, Assam has reported 5,835 new COVID19 cases and 73 deaths. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated yesterday that the impact of the second wave has been ‘extremely severe’ in Assam and the state’s medical infrastructure needs to be strengthened.

Meanwhile, on May 8, the Supreme Court had issued directions for decongestion of prisons across the country.

The apex Court had said that all prisoners granted bail or parole last year due to the pandemic must be released. The decision was made by a bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices L Nageswara Rao and Surya Kant.

The bench made this observation while issuing a set of directions for the release of certain categories of prisoners on interim bail or parole basis. It wanted all inmates to be provided with medical facilities.

Also Read: Prisoners lodged in jails start manufacturing masks to counter the shortage in the country

The court also wanted regular testing done of prisoners and prison staff, and if they were unwell, immediate treatment too. It also spoke about the need to maintain daily hygiene and sanitation levels.