'Paagal Aur Achche Qaidi Ek Saath' Lodged In Ranchi Jail

By Shafeeqh Rehman | Ranchi

SHOCKING A look at the Birsa Munda Central Jail makes one realize that there is a gulf of difference between the ordinary prisoners and the ones who enjoy the VIP status by virtue of political or monetary power. But there is another side to the story too.

In the same jail the mentally challenged prisoners are kept in the same cell as the regular prisoners. A prisoner identified as Barla has been in jail for the past many months. Despite his severe condition, he has been admitted to Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS). Barla is dreaded by other inmates because of his violent nature. So much so that Barla has even broken down the bathrooms of two cells in the jail.
The walls of his cell have been scratched and the paint scraped off to make weird images. Jawahar Lal, another inmate in another cell of the same ward has also been described to be suffering from mental disorder. The cell houses three such retarded people. Ironically five regular prisoners are also lodged in the same cell with those three mentally ill inmates.  

The other inmates are already upset by the presence of the other three abnormal inmates especially Barla whose antics have created fear among the people. The other inmates who feel panicked when Barla screams find solace in Jawahar Lal who sings at times and relieves them of their tension. 

The mentally challenged and the regular inmates in the jail share the same ward since there is no provision for the treatment of mentally retarded people. The condition of the jail can be judged by the fact that the regular inmates are taught to look up to their retarded partners for improvement in their behavior.

The pictures reveal the true condition of the environment in the jail. The photographs not only highlight the condition in the jail but also the fact that cell phones are allowed in the prison because of which these pictures could be taken and sent.

As per INN Live, apart from cell phones other prohibited items are also found in the jail. Items as tobacco, cigarettes, and other narcotics are also available though it is clear that the jail inmates have to pay a high price for that. Those relieved from imprisonment disclose that the inmates are able to make calls outside despite the jammers fitted in the jail. 

Meanwhile, Narendra Singh, the jailor of Ranchi Central Jail, said that there is the much-needed provision for the mentally ill people in the prison. He added that a team of RINPAS comes to the jail once or twice in a month for the treatment of the prisoners. Those who need treatment are being provided with the required medical aid.

The Birsa Munda Central Jail also houses 103-year-old Gothar Mehto. Resident of Umedanda, this man is spending his tenure in jail after he was convicted of murder. His two sons are also facing imprisonment for certain crimes. Recently one of his sons was released from jail.