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Inmates of Sabarmati jail protest transfer of official

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD Nov. 18. Some inmates of the Sabarmati central jail on the outskirts of the city began an indefinite fast this morning to protest against the transfer of the jail superintendent, Sanjiv Bhatt.

While the exact number of the jail inmates, out of some 3,300 housed in Gujarat's biggest high security jail, who have gone on strike was not known, police sources said more than 50 per cent of them refused to take the morning tea and later lunch.

The Minister of State for Home, Amit Shah, claiming that Mr. Bhatt's was a "routine administrative transfer,'' said the situation inside the jail was "normal'' and the prisoners had accepted the evening snacks calling off the agitation. But jail sources said the strike was still on and the prisoners had demanded the appointment of a court commission to look into their grievances. Jail sources said Mr. Bhatt's transfer was a sequel to a recent tiff he had with the BJP rulers in the State over security checks for those entering the jail premises in connection with the in camera trial of the Godhra train carnage and other communal riot-related cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act being held inside the jail out of the public glare. Some of the public prosecutors, mostly BJP or Vishwa Hindu Parishad sympathisers, felt offended over the strict drill being carried out by the jail superintendent and used their political clout to get him transferred. His transfer order was sent to the jail last night without indicating his next posting.

Though he had taken over charge recently, Mr. Bhatt had become popular with the jail inmates due to the measures he had taken to improve their living conditions

. Protection sought for Teesta

Following the octogenarian retired civil surgeon, Girishchandra Raval, seeking police protection, some residents of the Gulmarg Society and victims of communal riots, have requested special police security for the Mumbai-based social worker, Teesta Setalvad, and her representatives in the State whenever they visit Ahmedabad or other parts of Gujarat.

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