Jail inmates join Anna Hazare’s hunger strike at Jharkhand's Birsa Jail

A total of 50 inmates of the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi today sat on a hunger strike in a show of solidarity to civil right activist Anna Hazare.

Jail Superintendent Dilip Kumar Pradhan said about 150 inmates had approached to sit on a hunger strike, but only 50 were allowed due to delay in their approach and lunch was already prepared.

"They have been allotted a separate ward to stage their hunger strike," he added.

Asked whether their request was indefinite, Pradhan said they were given permission only for a day.

To a query, he said the jail authority had no role in motivating them, but it did object to their decision as it was for a "good cause".