Bengaluru jail inmates stage hunger protest after crackdown on illegal cigarette and beedi supply

A major enforcement drive inside Bengaluru’s central prison has triggered a three-day hunger protest as inmates demand the return of banned tobacco items.

A strict enforcement drive at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison has triggered a major protest, with inmates refusing food and staging a sit-in for the past three days. The unrest began after prison authorities halted the illegal flow of cigarettes and beedis, which inmates had reportedly been accessing freely for a long time.

The jail had earlier witnessed several serious violations, including the presence of mobile phones, liquor bottles, and even incidents where inmates arranged birthday celebrations by breaching security norms. Reports had revealed that almost every item available outside the prison could be found inside, exposing deep-rooted misconduct and internal collusion.

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Following these revelations, the Prison Department appointed Anshukumar as the new Chief Superintendent, tasking him with tightening controls and eliminating widespread irregularities. One of the first actions under the new administration was to stop the illegal sale of cigarettes and beedis, an activity allegedly facilitated by a section of prison staff.

According to the prison manual, the sale or possession of tobacco products inside the jail is strictly prohibited. To restore compliance, a Special Search Team was formed. The team conducted multiple inspections and seized over 50 mobile phones, in addition to cutting off tobacco access within the prison.

The sudden enforcement has led to significant discontent among inmates. Upset by the restrictions, they have refused food and snacks since the past three days and are demanding that the availability of beedis and cigarettes be restored. The protest is being held in front of the administration office inside the jail premises.

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Senior officials have reiterated that all actions are being taken in accordance with the jail rulebook, and the crackdown on prohibited items will continue. Despite multiple explanations given to inmates, they remain firm on their demand for tobacco to be allowed again, prolonging the standoff.

The prison management maintains that strict reforms are necessary to curb long-standing violation patterns and ensure lawful administration inside the facility.