New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) There were heart-tugging scenes at Tihar Jail Saturday as thousands of inmates were tied rakhis by their families on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.


Tihar Jail spokesperson Sunil Gupta said over 12,500 people visited the country's largest prison to tie rakhis on the wrists of around 4,500 prisoners.

Tears flowed freely as many siblings met each other after a gap of months, with many inmates promising their families that they will give up their life of crime.

Tihar jail products, including sweets and rakhis that the women prisoners made for the occasion, were on sale for the visitors, as any outside products are banned inside the jail.

“Elaborate arrangements were made for the auspicious day, including arranging special meetings of prisoners with their siblings, providing sweets and rakhis inside the prison at reasonable rates so that the inmates understand that we care for them," Gupta added.

Raksha Bandhan is the only day in the year when the inmates are allowed to meet visitors face to face, unlike normal meetings, which are held in specially designed wards where prisoners stand behind a thick grill and wire mesh.