State to recommend release of 105 convicts

BANGALORE: The state government has decided to recommend the release of 105 prisoners, who are serving jail terms in various jails in the state, based on their good conduct.Addressing press persons here on Thursday, Minister for Social Welfare and Prisons M Narayanaswamy said that the government had carefully short-listed the names of the prisoners, keeping in mind the Supreme Court’s observations in this regard.Stating that there were provisions under the law to grant amnesty and release prisoners, the minister said, “Extreme caution is being taken while selecting the prisoners who deserve to be released for good conduct.”Those who were convicted for heinous crimes like murder, dowry death and dacoity would not be considered for release, he added.Referring to earlier recommendations of the state government which were rejected by the Governor, Narayanaswamy said, “The government has decided to release some of the jail inmates after invoking relevant provisions of the law.”It may be recalled that the Governor had rejected the state government’s recommendations to release over 900 prisoners based on their good conduct in the last three years.Several convicts serving various jail terms recently staged protests demanding the state government to release them based on their good conduct.The practice of releasing prisoners for their good conduct is followed in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.Reacting to the Governor rejecting the recommendation to release some of the prisoners, the government has threatened to take up the matter with the President.Meanwhile, the state Cabinet, which met on Thursday, approved the decision to release prisoners.