Shimla: In its first order, the Himachal Pradesh jail department has allowed female prisoners to meet their husbands on Karwa Chauth in different jails across the state. Karwa Chauth is an Indian traditional festival, according to which the married women hold fast wishing for a long life of their husband or their future husband. According to rituals they break fast drinking water by the hands of her husband.

Director General of Police, Somesh Goyal has said that after breaking the fast of the day, women prisoners will be served special food on Karwa Chauth and women will be able to talk with their husband through video conference. This is the first time that the jail department has allowed women prisoners to meet their husbands.

There are 17 jails of different categories in the state, which include two central prison, ten district jail, one open air jail, one borstal jail for youth and three sub-jails; out of the 2,400 inmates in these jails, 99 are women. Goyal said that the jail authorities have been instructed that on this occasion women prisoners will be allowed to get out of the barracks to watch the moon while breaking the fast in the evening.