CPM, BSP volunteers held, demand removal of Jail Supndt

Puducherry, Nov 14 (UNI) Several CPI(M) and BSP volunteers along with relatives of convicted prisoners, who were on fast in the prison, were arrested and removed when they held a demonstration in front of the Central Prison here.

The convicted prisoners continued their fast for the third day, demanding the removal of the Jail Superintendent Jayakanthan and wanted to meet Justice Venugopal, the one man Commission, who investigated the death of three prisoners in 2005 after consuming poisoned liquor found in the jail premises.

When rumours spread that four of the prisoners had fainted and the condition of one was stated to be serious, their relatives along with the CPM and BSP activists gathered in front of the prison and sought to meet the Jail Superintendent, who did not give an appointment. Following this, they resorted to a demonstration and were arrested and removed from the spot.

Meanwhile, Federation for People's Rights Secretary G Sugumaran sent telegrams to the Union Territory Chief Judge, Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police seeking their intervention in the case.

He also demanded that a supervising Committee, comprising political party leaders and NGOs, should be constituted to look into the matters at the jail.

The four convicted prisoners, who were on fast and had fainted, were admitted to the government hospital here.

UNI