The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Warangal prison inmates on strike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Warangal prison inmates on strike

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL, NOV. 19. Expressing solidarity with their fellow prisoners who attempted suicide, several inmates of the Warangal Central Prison went on hunger strike here today.

Of the total strength of about 1,200, about 40 per cent of them, including some jailed naxals, went on a fast in protest against the alleged harassment by the authorities and inadequate facilities in the jail.

The regional DIG of jails, M R Ahmed, visited the prison in the wake of yesterday's incident and interacted with the inmates.

Later, speaking to newsmen, he said he was yet to ascertain the reasons for the strike by the prisoners.

He said though there were complaints about poor quality and quantity of food being served to the inmates, shortage of drinking water and medicines were temporary problems.

Referring to the shortage of drinking water, Mr. Ahmed said the entire city was reeling under severe shortage.

However, efforts were being made to provide the basic requirement of water.

On the complaints about the harassment by the jail authorities, the DIG said he would inquire into them. "During my interaction, the prisoners did not make any serious complaints.

They were talking about quality and quantity of food and shortage of medicines among other things,'' he pointed out.

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