Mohammad Shahabuddin, the infamous terror of Siwan, has been cut to size, and how.

The powerful former MP was brought to Bhagalpur jail from Siwan last Thursday. Supporters and leaders milled outside the entrance as Shahabuddin stepped in.

A local leader, who claimed he had come to the jail to hand over to Shahabuddin some daily-use items, said: "Let him stay in his ward first. We will meet him soon." But that soon is not too easy.

Once enjoying privileges of a guest rather than a prisoner or convict, Shahabuddin today knows what it is like to be a convict in an isolated jail ward.

Shahabuddin stayed at Shahid Jubba Sahani Central Jail for over six months in 2005. During last year's Assembly polls, again, he was kept at the special camp jail - an extension of the Bhagalpur Central Jail - for nearly 44 days. Both times, he lived at the jail like a lord. At his disposal were a proper bed with a mattress, a mosquito net to keep the pesky bugs at bay and television. Visitors - in no foxed numbers - could come and go at any time, and bring food or daily-use items. A luxury car was also posted outside the jail, former officials said on condition of anonymity, in 2005 for Shahabuddin's use.

This time, it's a completely different story. His shift from the Siwan divisional jail signalled a crackdown by the government in face of the former RJD MP's link to the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdev Ranjan.

The jail administration has cracked down on the number of visitors coming for Shahabuddin, things they bring in and the comforts provided to the Siwan don.

"Whenever Shahabuddin had been lodged at Shaheed Jubba Sahani jail earlier, dozens of vehicles would be parked outside the campus. Many people, including VIPs, used to visit him frequently," said Pintu Kumar, who owns a tea-and-snacks stall outside the jail. "We had brisk business but this time very few people are coming."

Shahabuddin is in quite a soup, as the jail authorities have refused to acknowledge him as a political prisoner. Neeraj Kumar, the superintendent of Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central Jail, said: "We are strictly following norms of the jail manual and providing him facilities according to it."

He has no special facilities at hand, and only been given two blankets. Local RJD leaders and Shahabuddin's well-wishers allege not more than five people are being allowed to meet him at one time.

At present, though, the former MP is in the jail hospital on the campus for chronic back pain since May 22. The Bhagalpur district magistrate has instructed the civil surgeon to constitute a medical board to examine his health even as sources claim Shahabuddin's supporters are planning to seek the party's intervention to either shift him to Delhi or Patna.

Influential RJD leader in Bhagalpur Arvind Yadav, relative of Belhar JDU MLA Giridhari Yadav, who would earlier manage friend Shahabuddin's facilities when he was in jail, strongly objected to the jail administration's attitude. "First he was kept in the isolated ward and had to sleep on the floor even though he has undergone a major back operation," said Arvind.

"The doctor has advised him not to sleep on the ground. The jail officials also do not allow his well-wishers to meet him inside the jail. As far as I know, there are no such restrictions mentioned in the jail manual."

He added: "The jail administration is also not allowing Shahabuddin's supporters to bring him food and daily-use items."

He claimed RJD chief Lalu Prasad has been informed about the jail administration's high-handedness. "We had discussions with some state-level leaders and would soon go to Patna to meet Laluji about this," he added.

Ramanuj Kumar, the deputy superintendent of special camp jail, denied allegations levelled by the Bhagalpur RJD leaders. "We are strictly following norms of the jail manual. Request to set up a medical board to check the former MP has been given to the district administration, and according to provision, he is being provided proper medical facilities."

He, however, remained tightlipped about Shahabuddin's shift to Delhi or Patna. But political observers said for the first time the terror of Siwan has been cut to size. "Let's watch the developments if whether the government will continue this or manage a midpath," said one leader on condition of anonymity.