Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 21: TTV Dinakaran, general secretary of Sasikala f action of AIADMK, got the taste of tightened norms when he came to Parappana Agrahara prison here on Thursday July 20 to meet party general secretary, Sasikala. Dinakaran, reports say, used to get preferential treatment in the past at the prison.

As per the orders of the new additional director general of prisons, N S Megharikh, visitors to the prison, in spite of their position and status, have to be treated as ordinary visitors. Therefore, the security staff stopped TTV Dinakaran's car when it approached the gate, and asked him to stand in queue. But as the visitors time closed at 5 pm, Dinakaran could not meet Sasikala and had to return without meeting her.

On this occasion, some supporters of Dinakaran who had accompanied their leader, expressed their ire at the behaviour of the prison staff but the personnel stopped car ahead of the gate and asked Dinakaran to walk and join the queue. Although he tried to directly enter the prison for half an hour, the staff advised Dinakaran to stand in the queue. After waiting for half an hour, he went back, as visitors time ended.

Megharikh, who visited the Parappana Agrahara prison after taking charge for the first time, held discussions with officers at the prison from 11.30 am to 3.45 pm and expressed dissatisfaction about non-compliance with norms and complaints being received about the prison functioning. He told the officers that he will not tolerate wrongdoings by the staff and warned them of stern steps.  He later told the media persons outside the prison that he will strive to set right deficiencies in the working of prisons, address the issue of shortage of staff, and concentrate on improving security system. He added that he will regularly visit different prisons in the state to keep a check on the activities.