Prisoners go on strike for release in Jharkhand

Over a thousand prisoners went on strike in different jails of Jharkhand on Monday demanding their release, with some also on hunger strike.

Around 700 prisoners are sitting on strike in Jai Prakash Narayan Central Jail, 200 in Garwah jail and 140 in Medininagar jail.

The prisoners, most of them lifers, said they have completed their sentences and that some had served for more than 20 years.

"There is a committee at state level headed by the chief minister. The meeting has not taken place in the last few years," Inspector General (Prison) Shailendra Bhushan told IANS.

"In life term case, a prisoner can be released if the state-level committee decides so. The court advisory is also must in releasing the prisoners facing life term.

"We will soon hold the screening committee meeting and decide on the prisoners' release whose advisory has reached to us," Bhushan said.