The seizure of sharp objects, including pointed iron rods, from convicts’ cells of the Palayamkottai Central Prison a few days ago during a surprise check has shocked the jail authorities.
A surprise check was conducted recently in the convicts’ cells following information that a section of inmates was gearing up for a massive assault on the rival group in the jail.
The seizure included 20 sharp iron rods (each with the length of 45 cm), a few improvised knives made from broken tablespoons and other banned substances such as beedis.
Though no formal complaint was made with the police, an internal enquiry is on to ascertain the factors that enabled the inmates to have access to these improvised weapons, according to a prison source.
On the iron rods, the authorities are conducting “intense enquiries,” a source in the prison told The Hindu on Tuesday. After there were reports of banned items getting entry into the prison cells, the surveillance has been tightened.
A couple of days ago, a clash broke out between the Dalit and Yadava inmates. A city police official said that they had not received any complaint in this connection from the jail authorities.
When contacted, Palayamkottai Central Prisons Superintendent R. Kanagaraj said iron objects such as nails and small rods had been seized in the past during surprise checks but denied that any iron rod was confiscated recently. He admitted that a clash took place between two groups and as a sequel some inmates were shifted to other prisons.
