Nearly three decades ago, as 26 accused in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and 15 others were lodged at the high security sub-jail in Poonamallee, all roads leading to the fortified prison were barricaded. The security was intense following a threat of a storming operation by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to rescue their cadre.
The security protocol was intimidating and rarely anyone ventured near the sub-jail, let alone go inside to meet the under-trial prisoners. However, Arputham Ammal, then in her late 30s, would make regular visits to meet her son A.G. Perarivalan, a co-accused in the case.
