67 life convicts released from Puzhal Central Prison with job promise

CHENNAI: As many as 67 life convicts were released from the Puzhal Central Prison here on Wednesday to mark the birth centenary of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M G Ramachandran.
After handing over the release orders to the convicts, additional director general of police (prisons) Ashuthosh Shukla asked them not to indulge in any criminal activities.

Shukla said the department would give them employment -- with a salary of Rs 10,000 -- in the upcoming petrol bunks outside central prisons.

Hoping that the released prisoners would live a peaceful life, he said out of the 1,405 life convicts released 10 years ago, only one had returned to the prison after involving in a criminal case.

Talking about the early release of the remaining prisoners, he said the department had submitted a list of around 1,750 life convicts for premature release as per the eligible criteria. Of them, 67 were released in the first phase and the remaining would be released in a phased manner.

“Since the government is looking each and every case proposed for the early release, it is taking time,” he said.

Denying reports that the number of inmates with psychiatric problems was on the rise due to delay in releasing them, he said, “The release of 67 inmates today will give the others (remaining eligible prisoners) the much-needed hope and confidence.”

The released prisoners thanked the government for releasing them and urged it to give employment opportunities.

“I have the confidence to earn my living with my hard work. I will be a model citizen. I wish the prison department will help us with employment opportunities,” said 36-year-old E Kulandai Yesu, who had been serving life imprisonment after committing a murder at the age of 19 years.

Yesu added that he had made use of the period of his imprisonment to complete MA and diploma courses. He had completed Class IX when he was arrested.