In Prison, But Not Poison: Bihar Inmates Donate Rs 50,000 To Kin Of Martyrs, Offer To Take On Pakistan If Required

In an inspiring display of empathy and patriotism, staff and prisoners from the sub-divisional jail in Bihar’s Gopalganj have made a donation of Rs 50,000 to the Army Relief Fund (ARF), meant for the bereaved families of the CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulwama convoy attack, reports Hindustan Times.

The money had been contributed via a demand draft which was sent through post on Monday (18 February 2019).

The sub-divisional jail holds 750 inmates, among whom 102 are convicted prisoners and 30 are women.

Not satisfied by only making a financial contribution, some of the prisoners have also communicated a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering to be sent to the front to fight in case of a war.

“If we die fighting, we would consider ourselves fortunate to be called a martyr, and if we survive, we would return to this walled campus without giving any trouble to the authorities,” the letter reads. It has been signed by around 250 prisoners.

Jail superintendent Sandeep Kumar commended the prisoners' gesture and stated that their behaviour has also seen a reform during their time in jail.

He explained that as part of the prison reform programme, the prisoners are tasked with several kinds of projects within the prison complex and are remunerated for their work.

“We grow all kinds of vegetables and flowers in the campus. Work is taken mostly from the convicted prisoners and each one of them earns roughly around Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500, which goes directly into their accounts,” he said.