Main gate of Tiruchy jail opened for Alagiri

TIRUCHY/MADURAI: In what is seen as a violation of prison rules, the main gate of the city's Central prison, which is opened only for emergency purposes, on Monday, opened for Union Minister MK Alagiri.As VVIPs are allowed entry only through the wicket gate, the opening of the main gate for Alagiri, when he came out, after visiting his partymen, raised several eyebrows here.Sources said unless there is an emergency situation, the main doors are not opened.Though Alagiri was allowed inside through the wicket gate at 10.25 am, the prison staff opened the main gate when he came out.He visited Veerapandi Arumugam and Anitha Radhakrishnan, in the prison.In Madurai prison, it was a contrasting experience for the Union Minister.He and D Napoleon, who came to visit the partymen lodged in the prison, were made to wait for over 15 minutes despite submitting proper letters on Sunday night itself.Around 1 pm, Alagiri, accompanied by Napoleon came to the Madurai Prison, but the main gate was not opened despite the cadre heavily banging on it.When a prison guard opened the peep hole, Napoleon was seen arguing that he was, in fact, the Central Minister for State for Social Justice and Empowerment.Alagiri argued that the letter for the visit had already been submitted to the prison officials and they should be let in right away.However, the prison guard said that he would have to consult the jailor before letting them in.Alagiri, who could not bear the scorching sun then tried to find respite under the shade of a tree.After 15 minutes, the prison gates were opened for Alagiri, who went inside and met Tirunelveli district DMK secretary Karuppasamy Pandian.