UP: Prisoners flash guns, government says weapons made of 'clay'
What's the story
Administration in Uttar Pradesh came under fire on Wednesday after two prisoners of Unnao district jail were seen flashing country-made pistols in a viral video.
Subsequently, action was initiated against four officials.
However, it was the reaction of the Home Department which stunned all. The government said the weapons were made of "clay" and looked real because one prisoner was a "good painter".
Really, what now?
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The two who brandished gun face serious charges
The prisoners who brandished the firearm inside the jail were identified as Gaurav Pratap Singh alias Ankur and Amrish Bhatipura.
Ankur hails from Raebareli and faces serious charges like loot and murder, whereas Amrish is a resident of Meerut and is serving life imprisonment for murder.
In the video, the two called the jail their "office" and flaunted their clout.
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They also slammed Adityanath's government
At one point, the two claimed they can "kill" anyone in Unnao who speaks anything against them.
Amrish also claimed that the Yogi Adityanath government couldn't hurt him in Meerut jail, and it won't be able to do so in the new jail either.
Separately, Ankur mouthed the dialog, "Zamana khud hamse hai, zamane se hum nahi" to show his "power".
Statement
"Ankur is a good painter, video was made of clay"
The video also featured delicacies hinting that prisoners really are enjoying themselves.
Jailor AK Singh said a report of the incident has been sent to authorities and strict action would be taken against those involved.
Giving a bizarre response on the event, Home Department said, "Ankur is a good painter and the alleged tamancha (country-made pistol) seen in the video is made of clay."
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Government also claimed food items weren't brought from outside
"Apart from this, all the food items, which are seen in the video, are regular items which are given to the inmates. None of the items were brought from outside or are objectionable," the statement from the Home Department added.
Details
Separately, senior official said the video was shot months ago
Calling the video "serious", Additional Director General (Prisons) Anand Kumar said, "It was found that the incident was done in collusion with some jail officials to put pressure on the jail administration."
He revealed action has been initiated against jail warders Mata Prasad, Hemraj, Awadhesh Sahu, and Saleem Khan.
He revealed the video was shot in February, as the inmates wore winter clothes.
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In Yogi Raj, you won't see such incident again: Minister
Meanwhile, state minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, "Government and DG have taken cognizance of the incident and strict action will be taken. You will see not such small incidents as nobody is allowed to take law in their hands in Yogi Raj."