On Rakhi, Afzal, other Tihar inmates meet kin without barrier

15,000 women thronged the Tihar Prisons to tie rakhis to their brothers lodged in the jail.

As against the usual norm of 'mulaqat' inside the prison premises that happens behind a thick grill and wire mesh, making it difficult to see the visitor and sometimes even understand the conversation, on the occasion of Rakshabandhan inmates are allowed to meet their kin without any barriers.

According to sources, Afzal Guru, a high-security inmate lodged in jail number three, was allowed to meet his visitor without any barrier and celebrate the occasion.

Sunil Gupta, spokesperson, Tihar Prisons said, "We had a total of 4,000 mulaqats today. Nearly 800 rakhis were sent by post to inmates lodged from outside Delhi. 15,000 ladies were here in Tihar to tie rakhi on their brother's wrist. Rakhi and sweets used during the occasion were made inside the jail by the inmates. Due to security reasons, we do not allow them to be brought from outside."

The mulaqat started at 8 AM and was finally over by 4 PM. However, 8,000 of the 12,000 inmates did not have any visitors on the festival

Gupta said, "This is one time of the year when inmates are allowed to meet their kins without any barrier. This also applies to high-security prisoners."