KATHMANDU, Oct 16: Inmates of Nakkhu jail, Lalitpur on Wednesday continued protest against the jail administration for the third day in a row over what they have described as ´low-level´ facilities provided to them by the administration.
According to Jailor Chakrapani Gautam, the administration has been trying to hold talks with the jail inmates, who have seized Block-C of the prison and locked themselves from inside as part of their demonstration against the jail authority. Nakkhu jail accommodates a total of 528 prisoners, with Block-C housing 223 inmates.
We tried to hold talks with the inmates but they are not ready to discuss their demands with the administration, said Jailor Gautam, adding we are open to discuss the issue till Thursday. If they refused to unlock the block by then, we will be compelled to use the force.
The agitating inmates allege that they were provided with low quality food, compelled to bribe jail staff for good facilities, poorly treated. They have also demanded probe into the corruption inside the jail, according to the jail sources.
However, Jailor Gautam was critical of the allegations made by the inmates and said that the facilities were provided in line with the standards set by the government. “We provide 700 gm of rice and Rs 45 per day for other requirements according to government´s rule,” said Gautam.
Their demands go beyond government´s capacity and they want to overpower the jail administration, which is unacceptable, he said. The Nakkhu jail Block-C holds notorious inmates like Yunus Ansari, Abhisekh Giri and Ramesh Lama among others.
We have already initiated steps to upgrade facilities like sports, library, among others. Despite their capture of Block-C, the inmates were provided food items and other requirements via alternative entrance of the jail.
Source : Republica
