In Tihar, Kanimozhi strikes a chord with guards from TN
Source: The Sangai Express / Express News Service
New Delhi, May 22 2011:
A day in Tihar, and Kanimozhi has already found company � in several prison guards.
Since 1976, contingents from the Tamil Nadu police have been deployed in Tihar as prison security.
"The contingents were brought here to create a deliberate communication gap between inmates and guards for security purposes.
This way, they can remain impartial," a jail official said.
But the logic seems to have turned on its head for the Rajya Sabha MP, as prison sources confirmed she conversed with the guards in Tamil.
While former telecom minister A Raja, also lodged in the jail for his role in the 2G scam, is termed "an introvert", who does not interact with fellow inmates or prison officials, sources said the DMK chief's daughter has been having animated conversations with guards.
"On Saturday morning, she asked a guard about the facilities in the prison creche, which is right in front of her cell.
She was told it was for children of inmates, up to six years old," a jail source said.
For the female prison, which has seen limited high profile prisoners, the guards and other inmates were "excited to be with her".
"The excitement will die down in a few days.
She will spend most of the day in court.
But till then, guards love interacting with her in Tamil, and asking her about her son and family," an official added.
Kanimozhi looked calm on her first day in court after her arrest.
She reached the court in the morning and her son visited her in the afternoon.
He sat in her lap, playing with her fingers, attracting attention from everyone around.
In jail, Kanimozhi remained absorbed watching herself on various TV news channels.
"The TV in her cell has a cable connection with 27 channels.
She has been keenly following developments on TV," an official said.
She had a light breakfast of tea and bread, before she left for court on Saturday.
"She woke up around 5.30 am and read newspapers before breakfast.
She also asked if something could be done about the mosquitoes," an official said.
Described as calm and affable by guards, she even tried to interact with some inmates, during breakfast.