Life convict runs arms trade from behind bars

BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: The liberty and unrestricted lifestyle of inmates at the Biju Patnaik Open Air Ashram at Jamujhari near Bhubaneswar has come under scanner following the arrest of a life convict on charges of running an arms business from behind the bars.
The incarcerated Haraprasad Sahoo was arrested on Tuesday after his close associate Manas Das informed the police about their alleged arms dealing.Police had picked up Sahoo outside the Jamujhari 'correctional' prison on July 30 for interrogation. Police said Sahoo and Das were arrested from the Shanta Sahi area of Cuttack. Two pistols were seized from them, a police officer said.
"Both have serious criminal antecedents. While Das was acquitted in a murder case recently, Sahoo was in the Jamujhari Open Air jail since long. Sahoo was carrying out the arms business from the jail premises itself," said Harihar Dora, inspector-in-charge of Purighat police station.
Police informed that the arrested goons procured country-made pistols and ammunitions from Bihar and supplied it to Berhampur, Cuttack and Keonjhar.
Twin city police commissioner B K Sharma said "Such prisoners should not be allowed to lead a relaxed lifestyle at the centre," Sharma said.
IG (prisons) Pranabindu Acharya said he would ask the jail authorities to intensify vigilance on the inmates, who are brought to the ashram to transform themselves amid the 'unrestricted' ambience. Life convicts, after spending nearly 10 years in other jails, are brought to the Jamujhari Open Air Ashram. "Sahoo indeed took advantage of the unrestricted lifestyle. We would now keep a close watch on their activities. We may scrap their liberty as well," Acharya said.
It is the only jail where the convicts are allowed to move outside it without any security guards. Sources said there are instances of inmates escaping after they were allowed to roam outside.