Amritsar, November 2: For the first time in Punjab, as many as 38 inmates undergoing imprisonment on an array of charges, ranging from murder to drug trafficking, were baptised today or made to partake ‘Amrit’ in the Amritsar Central Jail by a team of officials of the SGPC with the active assistance of the jail authorities.
The inmates, including six women, lodged in the Amritsar Central Jails (1and 2) were not only baptised but they also vowed to lead a clean life in future by shunning any activities that could bring them disrepute or harm society.
The baptism exercise continued in the jail for over three hours between 1 pm and 4 pm. It took place in the presence of the entire jail staff, including Jail Superintendent G S Sidhu.
Interestingly, the “change of heart” of the alleged hardened criminals had started taking place over an year ago when these inmates had started praying in their barracks. “In fact, the inmates have been expressing their fervent wish to get themselves baptised for a long time. It has happened with their consent,” said Sidhu and Balbir Singh Beesla, Deputy Jail Superintendent.
Eight of the 38 inmates, baptised yesterday by a team of Panthis of the SGPC, came from the Central Jail (no.2). Most of them were undergoing imprisonment for gruesome crimes like murder or drug trafficking.
(http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091103/punjab.htm#15)
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