Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hits out at Bihar BJP for opposing release of prisoners

The political slugfest between Nitish Kumar's JD (U) and Bihar BJP over the release of gangster-turned-politician Anand Mohan from prison, has intensified in the state.

Patna: The political slugfest between Nitish Kumar's JD (U) and Bihar BJP over the release of gangster-turned-politician Anand Mohan from prison has intensified in the state. On Friday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while talking to reporters, said that those who were earlier supporting the release of prisoners are now opposing the government's move.

Targeting the BJP, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi in February was demanding the release of the prisoners and now he is opposing the release. As per the Bihar jail manual 2012, 27 prisoners were released from jail. But, why so many questions are being raised on the release of one person."

"Everything was one according to rules and regulations. So, there was no question of protesting. The Union government made rules in 2016, that rule was followed while releasing the prisoners," said Kumar, adding, "Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi was talking about the release of Anand Mohan just two months ago. Now, he is opposing."

The Bihar Chief Minister further said, "Why people are discussing one release. But, the reality is altogether 27 persons were freed from the prisons. It is not a political issue. Those who have completed a jail term of 14 years, they are being released. There is nothing new about it. It is happening earlier also. But, people are trying to make a political issue."

Earlier, the Nitish Kumar government had amended the Bihar Prison Manual 2012. The change in prison rule led to the release of 27 prisoners, including gangster-turned-politician Anand Mohan. The gangster Anand Mohan was incarcerated in Saharsa jail in connection with the killing of the then Gopalganj District Magistrate MG Krishnaiah on December 5, 1994, in Bihar's Muzaffarpur.