Jailbreak raises question over security measures

PK Jaiswar

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 2

The running away of three jail inmates on Saturday, including two snatchers from the high-security Amritsar Central Jail premises, has put a question mark over the security arrangements inside the complex.

The incident occurred despite the fact that a company of paramilitary force was deployed in the jail. Though the state government has suspended seven jail employees in the connection, more steps are needed to be taken for a foolproof security cover on the Central Jail premises.

Incidents of sneaking of mobile phones and other prohibited material inside the jail complex keep happening. The jail authorities had confiscated over 50 mobile phones in January and three mobiles phones were recovered on Saturday. The jail authorities also witnessed three clashes among jail inmates during the period.

The jail authorities have launched regular search operations in the jail. Jail Superintendent Arshdeep Singh Gill pointed out that the seizure of mobile phones meant that there was tight security in place. However, the jail inmates keep making attempts to sneak in the prohibited material and the involvement of insiders cannot be ruled out.

Sources said the location of the jail complex in the densely populated area put the authorities in a very uncomfortable position. “During the winter when dense fog engulfs the district, notorious elements make attempts to throw into the jail mobiles, cigarettes and other prohibited material from outside,” they added.

It is evident to mention here that the mobiles phones are being used by notorious criminals and drug smugglers to run their nefarious networks outside. Recently, the Amritsar rural police nabbed three jail inmates in narco-terror module who were using drones for smuggling contrabands from across the international border. These jail inmates were contacting their counterparts outside the jail through mobile phones. Earlier too, intelligence agencies had warned against such illegal activities going on in the jail.