Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, Nagalakshmi Bai, has written to the Inspector-General of Police (Prisons) to conduct an inquiry into the written complaint given to her by the inmates of Tumakuru Central prison for women alleging harassment by the jailer and videographing of inmates by an unauthorised person.
Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, Ms. Nagalakshmi Bai said there were problems and infighting among the jail staff, which had triggered tension among the inmates of the jail resulting in hunger strike. She had written that the inmates should not be harassed and such incidents of harassment should not be repeated in the jail and the issue had to be dealt with seriously.
The 80 inmates of the Central prison for women staged a hunger strike on Thursday and Friday after one of the inmates saw her video on a television channel. They demanded action against the jailer and Muralikrishna who was making video of the inmates and giving it to the media.
They accused the jailer, Shainaza Nigewan, of harassing them and alleged that money was being collected from visitors who came to see the inmates.
Shivamma (40) allegedly attempted suicide after being upset over seeing her TV and was admitted to the district government hospital in Tumakuru and discharged after treatment. One of the inmates, Saleema was allegedly beaten up a week ago by three police constables on duty, resulting in the fracture of the left hand.
Ms. Nagalakshmi Bai has also written to the Superintendent of Police, Tumakuru, to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to her.
She has also sought action against Muralikrishna, who was allegedly making a video and taking pictures while they were cleaning the premises outside the jail and is the husband of police constable, Uma.
