CCTV, medical overhaul at shelter home after inmate suicide

Dehradun: Following the death of a 35-year-old inmate at a govt-run shelter home in Dehradun, authorities have announced new safety and healthcare measures for the facility.Uttarakhand Women Empowerment and Child Development minister Rekha Arya visited the shelter home in Kedarpuram on Monday to review the situation. She assessed the existing safety and monitoring arrangements in the wake of the incident.Arya said round-the-clock CCTV cameras with audio features will be installed, and some staff will be given access to strengthen monitoring.She added that the health and family welfare department will be involved in overseeing the medical needs of inmates. “Along with regular inmates, mentally ill persons and those with medical conditions are also housed here. The health department has the required expertise, and a psychiatrist is needed on a regular basis for counselling,” she said.Officials said the current medical arrangement is temporary and needs strengthening, especially for inmates with mental health issues.“The authorities have been directed to prepare a proposal for the state cabinet’s approval so that the shelter home can provide holistic care,” Arya said.She said a police probe is on and the postmortem report is awaited. Action will be taken if any lapse is found.