Tense moments in jail following lifer's mysterious death

About 1,000 prisoners at the Central Jail here today boycotted breakfast and noon meal to protest against the death of an inmate serving life sentence.
Some prisoners climbed atop the trees and sought an inquiry into the death.
Police said tension prevailed in the jail for some time, as a section of prisoners and undertrials protested, following the mysterious death of a 50-year-old prisoner, serving life sentence last night.
Karuppasamy of Mettupalayam was convicted in a murder case and undergoing life sentence. Jail authorities took him to the government hospital here, after he reportedly complained of chest pain last night, but died on admission early today, police said.

However, relatives and family members, who gathered at the hospital, suspected foul play and alleged he was beaten to death, reportedly by a jailor for talking over cell phone.
Senior police officials, including City Police Commissioner, A K Vishwanathan rushed to the spot and managed to convice the prisoners that the death was due to cardiac arrest following which they returned to their respective cells, police said.
Tight vigil is being maintained at the prison.