Indefinite fast by life-convicts enters second day

Cuddalore, Sep 16: The indefinite fast by 14 life-convicts in the Central Prison here demanding their release, entered the second day today.

Prison sources said despite appeals by the prison authoties the fasting inmates refused to take food since yesterday morning.

They were demanding their release on the occasion of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C N Annadurai birth anniversary yesterday.

The government had announced the release of 472 life convicts, including 16 women, who had completed ten years of imprisonment, to mark the occasion.

Prison sources said 55 convicts, who had completed ten years, were released from the Cuddalore jail last evening following the Government's order.

Thirteen of the 14 convicts, who have resorted to the fast, were not released as their conduct was not good, while the other convicts had not completed ten years.

Ten of them did not return to the jail after the completion of their parole period and police had to file fresh FIRs to re-arrest them. Two had indulged in thefts during their leave period, while one of the convicts' report card was not good.

The other convict, who had completed only eight years, had joined the fast to express solidarity with his fasting jail mates.

UNI