Prisoners Go on Fast-unto-death to Demand Early Release
Bangalore, Aug 13 (PTI): Several prisoners serving sentence in various jails of Karnataka have resorted to indefinite fast demanding remission of sentence of those recommended by the state.
In Parappana Agrahara Bangalore Central Jail, 157 inmates, including 22 women are on fast-unto-death since yesterday and seven of them had to be hospitalised after their condition deteriorated, a top official of the prison told PTI.
A total of 593 names were recommended by the state government to be released on Independence Day for various reasons, including good conduct and ill health.
However, the proposal was turned down by Governor H R Bhardwaj on the ground that such a large number could not be released at one go and wanted some more clarifications on the cases.
A medical team comprising doctors had been kept ready in anticipation of any medical problems arising due to the fast. Participants in the hunger strike included those whose names had been recommended as well as those who supported the move.