These days, Debahari Nayak, a resident of Berhampur area in Ganjam district, is repenting for the mistake he had committed 16 years ago for which he was put behind bars in Jamujhari Open Air Jail, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
Debahari said in a fit of rage he killed a person 16 years ago and his entire life turned into a veritable hell. All his dreams were dashed to the ground. Now that he has been released following the direction of the Odisha State Sentence Review Board, he has determined to live a decent life, for the rest of his life.
“We didn’t want to kill him. We killed him accidentally. I was arrested and half of my life has gone wasted. However, my stay in the jail has transformed me,” said Debahari.
Like Debahari, eight elderly prisoners have recently been released from different jails.
Supala Tandi and his brother Samaru Tandi of Luhuramunda village under Loisingha police limits in Bolangir district, aged around 90, have also been released from jail. Pachila Rout, 82, of the same village has also walked out of a prison.
For them, the world outside has changed a lot but they are not in a position to enjoy it as they spent a better part of their lives in jail. However, they were happy that they would meet their family members after a long gap.
“I am excited to meet my family members,” said Samaru Tandi.
Mukura Nayak, a resident of Kuliposha Colony under Lahunipada police limits in Sundargarh district, had a similar story to say. He had been convicted in the case of murdering his nephew and after spending 16 years, he has recently been released.
“I have realised my fault. What I did in a fit of anger has ruined my life. I will spend the rest of my life happily with my family members,” said Mukura.
Notably, following the direction of the Odisha State Sentence Review Board, eight elderly prisoners were released from different jails across the State.