The Nagaland Government has decided to remit the sentences for certain categories of prisoners who have been convicted by the courts (other than Court Martial) having criminal jurisdiction in the State of Nagaland and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment, DIPR stated. This grant is in commemoration of the ensuing 77th Independence Day on 15th August 2023.

The notification stated, “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 161 of the Constitution of India, the State Government has granted remission of sentences to the different categories of prisoners as specified below, lodged in the Jails of Nagaland and outside, other than those in respect of whom the sentence is inflicted for an offence against, or the Order referred to in Sub-section 6 of Section 432 of the said Code, passed under any law relating to which the Executive Powers of the Central Government extends.”

The scale of remission of sentence for different categories is specified below:

Nagaland Government also mentioned that the remission granted under the order will not be admissible to the following categories of prisoners:

1. Prisoners convicted under Foreigners Act.
2. Prisoners convicted under Passport Act.
3. Prisoners convicted under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
4. Prisoners convicted under Section 3 to 10 of Official Secrets Act, 1923.
5. Prisoners convicted under Section 2 to 3 of Criminal Amendment Act, 1961.
6. Prisoners convicted under Section 121 to 130 of IPC.
7. Prisoners convicted under Section 107/109 of CrPC.
8. Prisoners convicted under Prevention of Corruption Act.
9. Prisoners convicted under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
10. Prisoners convicted of rape, attempt to rape or assault on women.
11. Convicted prisoners found violating jail rules and discipline such as threatening/ intimidation/quarrelling/beating of fellow prisoners/staff and smuggling of contraband and prohibited articles.
12. Foreign National convicted under any Acts.

The Remission Order will take effect from the 15th August, 2023.

Consequently, based on the proposals submitted by DG (Prisons), the State Government has granted remission to the eligible convicted prisoners in the State as below;

It has also been informed that the State Level Screening Committee constituted in pursuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India’s directives, examined the cases of eligible prisoners satisfying the conditions for remission and recommended for special remission to two convicted prisoners and for their release on 15th August 2023;

The prisoners to be released are from District Jail Mokokchung and District Jail Phek.