Sidhu's visit cheers inmates of Amritsar Central Jail

Amritsar, Aug 10 (UNI) There were no reminiscence of arc lights or cheers of a cricket stadium when cricketer-turned-politician, Navjot Singh Sidhu stepped into the high security central jail here this afternoon.

Expressionless faces peeping from various corners of the prison stared at the local BJP MP as he walked around the jail premises in the company of DIG (central jail) Kanwar Vijay Pratap and other officials.

''Main nu pachana (have you recognised me)'', he asked while signaling to a group of prisoners standing outside a barrack.

''Janab ha, tusi Sidhu sahib ho, cricket kedia karde si, te hun TV vich Laughter show karde ho (Yes, you are Sidhu sahib who used to play cricket and now you are anchoring the Great Indian Laughter Champions)'', a jail inmate said while coming closer to the VIP guest who had taken time off to spend a few moments with those 'residing' behind the high walls of this prison.

Sidhu went around the barracks, inquiring from each inmate about the facilities avaliable in the jail. He also had a detailed interaction with Mr Vijay Pratap, who briefed him about the activities in the prison.

When he went to the women barrack, a thirty year old inmate stepped up to tell the MP that she was from Pakistan and had completed her jail sentence. Giving a word of assurance to the inmate, he promised that he would press upon the Union Government to expidite the process of sending back all foreign nationals who had completed their terms in Indian jails to their respective countries.

Moved by the conditions in the prison, Sidhu announced a grant of Rs 20 lakh from his MP Local Development Fund for improving the facilities. In this context he referred to building new barracks or repairing the old ones, constructing additional bathrooms and toilets, improving the condition of the jail hospital and also stressed upon the need for having a library which the inmates could utilise if they wished to pursue their studies.

He handed over a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh from his personal fund to the DIG for improving facilities in the jail school and for purchasing books and stationery material.

Before leaving the jail premises he advised the inmates to be better citizens when they go out on parole or are released.

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