KOLKATA: With football mania raging all over the world for the ongoing European Championship, prisoners in the City of Joy are having a field day. Inmates who wanted to watch the matches asked for LCD TV sets in their cells, and got them.
During the recent Copa America tournament, high-profile prisoners in Alipore Central Jail were provided TV sets in their cells. These convicts run organised crimes and also bet on from the prison.
TV sets were installed in the wards after they were termed “correctional homes”. “TVs were installed in wards but only DD was available as there was no cable connection. Some prisoners are well connected, and if they are denied such facilities, they can easily organise a riot,” said a former convict.
The moment a match starts, so do friendly arguments and betting. Gopal, convicted for killing a police officer during last year’s Kolkata municipal elections, has a TV set in his cell. After Portugal reached the semi-finals of the Euro Cup, he is betting on them as Christiano Ronaldo is his favourite player.
Alleged contract killer Mohammad Rashid Alam alias Gabbar watches all the matches in his cell. He was heartbroken after Messi failed to score the penalty during the shootout. He is now betting on Italy.
Alipore Jail superintendent Swarup Mondal denied convicts have TV sets in their cells. “No prisoner asked for TV sets as they are installed in the wards. They are watching matches there,” he said.
Jail sources said that some prisoners who were crazy about football bought TVs and got them installed in their cells. They pay the cable cost with the wages they earn by working in the prison.
Trinamool Congress’ former state transport minister Madan Mitra, convicted for his role in the multi-crore Sarada scam, had organised a friendly FIFA match between Argentina and Venezuela, in which Messi played. Mitra is also watching football on TV in his special ward, which is equipped with a modern toilet and music system.