By IANS,
Gurdaspur (Punjab) : Gurdaspur Central Jail in Punjab witnessed the re-enactment of a Bollywood-style scene when a young under-trial climbed atop a water tank in the jail premises and the authorities had to take the help of other under-trials to get him down.
Jail Superintendent Shammi Kumar said: “It was like a scene from the Hindi movie “Sholay”. The under-trial prisoner created a tense atmosphere in the jail. But now, I am feeling relieved.”
The incident took place Saturday night when 25-year-old under-trial Lakhwinder Pal Singh felt the urge for a smoke. Since he was not allowed to smoke in jail, he went and climbed the water tank to create a scene. “When we asked him what he wanted, he replied, ‘Except for a cigarette, I need nothing’,” said Kumar.
Lakhwinder is facing trial in an excise-related case. “It is a bailable offence and his bail plea is to be decided March 31.”
The whole staff of the jail was on its feet for two hours to get him down. “We finally convinced three other under-trials who had once worked for the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Three of them were commandos and were sent up the tank with a cigarette to lure the under-trial. He was also convinced that it had extra drugs in it,” informed Kumar.
A safety net was installed below the tank by the Army authorities, reducing the risk factor.
Once the three inmates were with Lakhwinder and offered him a cigarette, the distracted Lakhwinder was pinned down and tied with a nylon rope, informed Kumar.
He added: “The under-trial will be out on bail in a day or two. He has some mental problem, probably depression due to family issues.”
The whole scene took place just before the visit of Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice M. Jeyapaul to the jail. “He was very cool and understanding in that he gave me enough time to tackle the situation,” Kumar said.