Prisoners begin indefinite fast for 'independence'

Parappana Agrahara central jail authorities said more than 20 prisoners (life imprisonment) are protesting against the government going back on its word after announcing that around 130 prisoners would be released on Independence Day.

Prisoners in Belgaum, Bellary, Mysore, Mandya and Gulbarga have also followed suit. A few who had come out on parole told Deccan Herald, "Many more are likely to join the protest in the coming days. It was a ritual and hundreds used to wait for their turn to get released and suddenly, the government is playing a different tune and finding it difficult to convince the governor. The file is stuck at the governor's office and we don't expect it to see light of the day.”

Meanwhile, Umesh V Katti, minister for prisons and ADGP (Prisons) Bipin Gopal Krishna visited the Bangalore jail. Katti said, "We are trying our best to get the official nod but somehow, it is not happening. Initially, we recommended around 530 prisoners names, the governor's office directed us to cut short the list and send it back. We brought it down to 130 names. Now again, they have advised us to re-examine the list, which means the process has to start from the beginning. We will place it before of the Cabinet and after approval, we will request the governor to clear the list.”