Old prison premises turns into haven for miscreants

The premises of the old prison in town has become an abode of miscreants and citizens are panicking as illegal activities are being carried out here.

The place is now deserted and miscreants have been using the place to consume drugs.

Many have converted the placed into an open toilet.

Liquor bottles, old clothes, gutkha and cigarette packets are among the litter found on the premises. All of these provide evidence to the illegalities going on the premises.

The body of Siddalingaswamy, a taxi driver, was spotted on the premises recently.

A taxi driver said that all types of illegal activities are being carried out in the place. A sex racket is also carried out in the abandoned building. People are therefore terrified of walking on the streets nearby, he added.

Customers at the Indira Canteen near the prison have been complaining about the stench emanating from the premises. The waste collected in vehicles too is dumped on the site, they said.

The land where the old prison stands is owned by KSRTC. The old building is covered in shrubs and weeds now.

Although chain link meshes are erected around the premises, the fence is not high enough. The gate is open on one side of the premises, providing an easy entrance to the visitors.

Another driver Srinivas suggested that the old building be demolished along with a clean-up of the premises. The Police Department should also take immediate action to stop the illegal activities, he added.