No-drone zone around Patiala jails

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 3

The district administration has banned the use of drones within a 500-metre radius of jails in the district. The area has been declared a ‘no-fly drone zone’ in the wake of mobile phones and other contraband being recovered from the inmates in recent times.

Patiala district has three jails — Central Jail in Patiala, and New Jail and Maximum Security Jail, both in Nabha.

The decision was taken by the state government following which the district magistrates were asked to issue separate orders to every district in view of the continued use of mobile phones inside the jail premises, despite heavy security at entry points.

Exercising the powers under Section 144 of the CrPC, Additional District Magistrate today extended the ban, which originally came into effect last year was to end today. The orders said flying unauthorised drones near jails could pose a security threat.

If anyone wished to fly a drone for a ceremony/rally within 500 metres of the jail, they would have to seek permission from the police and the district administration. A drone can be flown only on certain occasions, that too after getting permission from the authorities concerned. The order will remain in force until April 2.

Since the Patiala Central Jail is located in a densely populated area, the police have faced challenges to curb the smuggling of prohibited items into the premises through drones and other illegitimate methods.