Jorhat, Oct. 10: Inmates at the Mahendra Nagar open-air jail here are planning to appeal to the district administration to make the road inside the premises pucca.

The 600-metre road turns into a muddy pathway and resembles the fields on either side when it rains and can be traversed only on a vehicle, unless one wants to wade through ankle-deep slush.

The path leads to the samadhis of martyrs Kushal Konwar and Kamal Miri, the quarters of the jailors and wardens and the newly built naamghar.

Thaneswar Gogoi, one of the inmates of the open-air jail said, “For us, who work in the adjoining fields have got used to the condition of the road. However, those who come to the naamghar to offer prayers have to walk more than half a kilometre on a rutted track, which turns into a mud stream during the rains. We have written an application, which we will soon submit to the district administration for making the road pucca.”

The open-air jail, one-of-its-kind in the Northeast, was set up in 1964 over 350 bighas of land, adjacent to the Jorhat Central Jail.

All the inmates here are serving life terms and have been lodged in the Central Jail for about 10 to 14 years, until they were found suitable to be transferred to work in the paddy fields or grow vegetables and fruits.

They are paid Rs 55 per day with an off on Sunday.

However, they are shifted to the Jorhat Central Jail at night.

Mahim Neog, who was instrumental in erecting the naamghar said, “It is only during the death anniversary of Kushal Konwar that freedom fighters and officials of the district administration turn up for a function held at the samadhis and say that they will do something to improve the condition of the road. However, after they leave everything is forgotten till the next year.”

“After the naamghar has been built, many people from adjoining villages come to offer prayers, but the road full of muck is a deterrent,” he said.

He further pointed out that the government should at least take up some measures, given the fact that the samadhis of freedom fighters and martyrs like Kushal Konwar and Kamala Miri exist here. The place could also be highlighted, as a spot of tourist attraction,” he added.