Chennai: Spending most of his productive years in the prison does not seem to deter V. Chandra Hasan from approaching life with a positive perspective.
Chandra Hasan was one among the 67 life convicts released from Puzhal central prison on Wednesday on the occasion of birth centenary of former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran, said that he had self-confidence and hard work on his side.
Chandra Hasan had spent nearly 30 years in the prison. "Although I entered the prison as a murder accused, I'm stepping out with six diploma degrees. Life in the prison is not easy but I have learned from the prison experience. I will open a tea stall with the help of officers and will help society. I will teach Silambam to others," he said.
The release was followed by a state government announcement in Assembly, which ordered the premature release of 67 prisoners, who has completed 10 years in the prisons as of February 25. The prisoners were released on Wednesday in an official function, in which the released inmates were gifted with rations for a week.
Meanwhile, the happy families of the prisoners gathered at the gate of the Puzhal prison to welcome their near and dears, who were behind the bars for more than a decade. "We are happy to have my brother back. I can't explain the bliss in myself and my family," Dinesh, a relative of a released prisoner, said.
Meanwhile, the additional director general of police (prisons) Ashuthosh Shukla, who was present at the event implored the released inmates to not to indulge in criminal activities again. "I hope all of them find suitable jobs," he said.
The ADGP also said that a list of 1,750 prisoners was submitted to the government for premature release and they would be released in a phased manner. "The inmates are released only to encourage other inmates to be good inside the prison," Ashuthosh Shukla said.
