The UDF government in Kerala is at loggerheads withe Jail DGP over the freedom and facilities being enjoyed by CPI(M)-backed undertrials in prison. Even as this tussle goes on,Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is facing the heat from the Congress party over the alleged anarchy prevailing in jails as well as the lack of coordination among agencies within his home department. Earlier this week,the government was in the dock over reports that a seven-member gang,facing trial in the murder of CPI(M) rebel T P Chandrasekharan,have been leading a comfortable life in jail with food from outside,liquor,smartphones. They were found active in social media with likes and postings about political developments outside the jail. An outraged Congress cornered Radhakrishnan alleging that the minister had a secret deal with the CPI(M). Many demanded his exit as home minister. Subsequently,Radhakrishnan ordered a probe by the DGP (Law and Order),the Home Secretary and Jail DGP Alexander Jacob into the alleged operation of Facebook accounts by the gang,allegedly involved in several political murders in North Kerala. Even before the three-member committee was to submit the report,Jacob went public,saying the use of mobile phones and operation of Facebook accounts by the prisoners could not be proved scientifically. "Someone might have deliberately planted the Facebook row to influence the judge hearing the murder case. Such forces might have thought that if the gang is acquitted in the murder case,they would remain in jail for six months over the violation of prison regulations (use of mobile phone)," said Jacob. Jacob said he would shoulder the onus for the security lapses in the jail and neither the minister nor the jail staff should be made scapegoats. He said jails do not have enough staff. Government staffing agency public service commission had not responded to the demand for more recruitment. The existing staff members are facing threat from the criminals. Jacob blamed the police department for its incompetence addressing the threat faced by jail staff and their family members from imprisoned criminals. Even the details of the mobile phone calls from jails have been handed over to the Intelligence Bureau. But,there was no action,said the senior IPS officer. Soon after the DGP distanced himself from the government,the CPI(M) rushed to support him. Politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the DPG has chargesheeted the Home Minister. "Alexander Jacob is an efficient jail chief. Radhakrishnan should go. The Facebook controversy was planted to influence the verdict of the murder case," said Balakrishnan. Radhakrishnan said he had communicated his displeasure at Jacob's press conference and sought an explanation. Several Congress leaders demanded Jacob's removal,but chief minister Oommen Chandy refused to react. The row is being used by Congress leaders to train guns on the home minister. Former Congress state chief K Muraleedharan said Radhakrishnan should be divested off the home department. Earlier,party state president Ramesh Chennithala had expressed his displeasure over the CPI(M)-backed goons free life in the jail under the Congress government.
