'உலகக் கோப்பை பார்க்கவேண்டும்': ஜெயில் கைதி மனு

புழல் சிறைச்சாலையில் இருக்கும் அப்துல் ரஹிம் எனும் விசாரணண கைதி, சிறையில் DTH வசதி செய்து உலகக் கோப்பை போட்டிகளை பார்க்க வழிசெய்யவேண்டும் என தடா கோர்ட்டில் மனு செய்துள்ளார்.


Prisoners want DTH for Cup

Chennai, March 8: An undertrial prisoner at Puzhal Central Jail has filed a petition before the designated Tada court here pleading for the installation of a direct-to-home (DTH) telecast facility in prison so that inmates can watch the cricket World Cup.The prisoner, 39-year-old Abdul Rahim, has even offered to pay for the DTH facility if the authorities are unable to fund it. Abdul was detained under Tada for his involvement in the August 8, 1993 bomb blasts at the RSS office in Chennai. He is an undertrial along with 23 others who were arrested following the blast.

In his petition, he argued that watching World Cup cricket matches would not only provide the prisoners some entertainment, but also mental relaxation. Abdul appeared before the judge on March 6 to argue his case in person. However, the government does not appear keen on conceding his demand. Advocate V. Kannadasan, appearing for Puzhal prison in the case, told this newspaper: “The prison manual has very clear provisions restricting the communication of prisoners with the outer world. Even the letters they receive are subjected to censorship and the interaction between the prisoners is watched. Installation of DTH could result in them watching almost 80 channels. It would be impossible to restrict their viewing and could lead to disobedience among prisoners.”

As of now, every prison block has a television set for viewing programmes relayed by Doordarshan. The advocate pointed out that Doordarshan was bound to relay certain matches during the World Cup and the prisoners could watch these. Tada judge T. Ramaswamy, who took cognisance of the petition, has asked the government to file its counter to the petition on March 9