The Hindu : Karnataka News : Jungle law prevails inside Kolar sub-jail

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Friday, Aug 10, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Jungle law prevails inside Kolar sub-jail

Vishwa Kundapura

Faced with staff shortage, jail officials are unable to control the aggressive elements

A MISLEADING CALM: A view of the district headquarter sub-jail in Kolar

KOLAR: A pitched filmy style fight between some criminals inside the district headquarter sub-jail here recently highlighted the insecure atmosphere in the jail because of black deeds by such elements, who were shifted here from other places, particularly Bangalore and lodged here.

It brought to the fore the issue of lack of adequate space and other infrastructure facilities, including staff shortage.

Kaviraj, reportedly an associate of underworld don Ravi Pujari, and an accused in the murder of a realtor in Bangalore, was injured while he was assaulted by some other inmates. The assailants were accused in several criminal offences in Bangalore.

The incident provoked protest from the inmates of the jail and they staged a hunger strike demanding shifting of some prisoners from the jail fearing threat to their life.

The sub-jail in discussion has been overcrowded with the undertrials. The number of inmates at present is 222 as against its capacity of 82. Coupled with the excess number of accused in various crimes, the shortage of staff has compounded the grave situation inside the prison.

The sub-jail has one jailor, a superintendent, two wardens, and three head wardens. This staff strength is not adequate to control and maintain discipline among inmates.

According to sources, criminal elements resort to several kinds of excesses against the undertrials. Some of the criminal elements reportedly bullied the undertrials. If the latter refuse to oblige the former, they were beaten up.

A major portion of the food provided at the jail was gobbled up by these elements and only remaining food was made available for others. Even if the other inmates go to bed earlier than these prisoners, they would be beaten black and blue. Whenever such criminals were lodged here they use mobile phones in the jail and they consume alcohol too, it is learnt.

The officers broker peace during small quarrels between individuals or groups. But they are unable to control major fights.

The visit of Additional Director-General of Police and Inspector-General of Prisons S.T. Ramesh has not had any effect. He has issued instructions to curb boorish behaviour of some prisoners and restore order. Fed up with the atrocities of their fellow prisoners, some of the undertrials resorted to agitation.,

As a result of this protest, some criminal elements were shifted from here to Bellary jail. The issue was raised in the Assembly by MLA K. Srinivasa Gowda.

Whether the calm prevailing in the prison now will continue for some time remains to be seen.

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