Prisoners on hunger strike, want seized heaters back

Around 500 prisoners in Ajmer Jail observed a hunger strike after jail authorities seized room heaters and other objectionable material from the illegal possession of the inmates. 

Following exorbitant power bills, jail authorities conducted surprise checks and found that a huge number of prisoners were operating electric heaters to fight the cold.

The prisoners raised strong objections and lodged their protest by observing a strike.

Sources in Ajmer Jail said the electricity bill of the jail has exceeded Rs 4 lakh, which is the highest amount ever. 

“Electricity bill of Rs 4 lakh was beyond expectations. Jail authorities later started checking every single barrack. The three-day search operations concluded with recovery of dozens of room heaters and mobiles,” said a source in Ajmer Jail.

Sources said a security guard has also been suspended for his alleged involvement in helping the prisoners to meet their illegal demands.

Initially, a few prisoners sat on hunger strikes and later they forced others to join them. 

The prisoners are demanding jail authorities to reinstate the security guard and return the room heaters.

Ajmer is presently shivering at eight degree Celsius and jail authorities have claimed that prisoners get enough quilts to protect them from the cold. Troublemakers 

Jail authorities refused to give any official statement, but on condition of anonymity said that only a handful of prisoners are creating an unnecessary problem and the security guard who used to meet their illegal demands has been traced and removed.