Dharamshala , May 8
The District Jail in Dharamshala is currently housing a large number of inmates involved in drug-related offenses, with 234 prisoners lodged under the NDPS Act out of a total of 491 inmates. Officials said the jail is operating well beyond its sanctioned capacity of 355 inmates, with the current strength at 491, including 32 women prisoners. The overcrowding situation has raised administrative concerns within the prison system.
Authorities noted that police action against drug-related crimes has been intensified across the district, with frequent cases of charas and chitta being reported. Surveillance on drug traffickers continues, and efforts are underway to dismantle their networks.
To address overcrowding, construction work is underway on the jail premises to create additional accommodation for around 80 inmates. The new facility is expected to be completed within five to six months.
District Jail Superintendent Vikas Bhardwaj said that of the total inmates, 314 are undertrials, while the rest have been convicted. He confirmed that 234 inmates are facing NDPS-related charges and added that expansion of jail capacity is being expedited to manage the rising prisoner population.
