13 inmates on hunger strike after Dera chief enters Sonaria prison
UP IN ARMS Alleging ‘suspension of rights’, they claim to have been confined to their cells
Thirteen prisoners in Rohtak’s Sonaria jail are on a hunger strike for the last four days, alleging “suspension of rights inside the prison” since Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim was brought there.
The information was revealed by the lawyer of an undertrial who came for a court hearing on Friday. Rajesh Kumar Saharan, advocate of murder accused Anil of Karor village, said his client was among the 13 prisoners on hunger strike against the “harassment”.
“Anil told me ever since Ram Rahim was brought to jail, the authorities have confined other prisoners to their cells. They are not being given sheets to spread on the floor to sleep, and are also facing problems with food. The facility given to prisoners to speak to their family daily for five minutes has also been suspended,” Saharan alleged.
He said prisoners had warned of continuing their agitation until facilities they are entitled to as per the jail manual are not resumed. Earlier, a Dalit rights activist, Swadesh Kirad, had highlighted a similar problem after he came out on bail on August 30.
Rohtak jail superintendent Sunil Sangwan did not respond.
“Shraddha was left in the Dera to pursue her education long time back. In 2008, we tried to meet her, but we were not allowed by the Dera functionaries,” he alleged.
“I tried to contact the officials of the Dera on their mobile numbers, but it was futile,” he said, adding that as the area around the sect’s headquarter was still under curfew, it was difficult to get inside.
Sources said that around 29 minor girls were in the Derarun Sahe Baitiyan Baseera.
“Eighteen girls, all of whom are minors, said that they were happy and did not want to come out. However, we persuaded the Dera management, and with their help brought them out,” Sirsa deputy commissioner Prabhjot Singh had said earlier.
The girls were sent to juvenile homes at different locations, including Sonipat, in Haryana, officials said.