Imphal, July 11 2009: The State Home Department has replaced all the wardens of the two jails located at Old Lambulane, Imphal and Sajiwa with Manipur Police commandos and Village Defence Forc (VDF) from today.

According to a reliable official source, 30 personnel of both Police commandos and VDF have been assigned duty at each of the two central jails.The move has been taken up to prevent frequent quarrels among the inmates, maladministration, and to prevent UTPs from issuing extortion demands to government employees and others through mobile phone.

Under the new government initiative, the employees of the two jails have been transferred to various places.

Accordingly, the Additional SP of Imphal Central Jail, Phanitphang has been transferred to Chandel District Jail while the Additional SP of Sajiwa Central Jail has been transferred to Churachandpur District Jail.

Besides, several Jailors and staff of the two jails have been transferred to different places, the source said.

At the same time, four jail staffs have been placed under suspension on charge of availing mobile phone inside the jail and complying with the underground elements in issuing threats.

Though the identities of the four suspended jail staffs could not be established immediately, they include one Jailor, two Head Warders, and one warder, a reliable source disclosed.

A discussion on Demand for Grants is due on July 15 on the floor of the ongoing Manipur Assembly relating to demand No 7 (Police), Demand No 24 (Vigilance), Demand No 31 (Fire Protection and Control), Demand No 32 (Jails) and Demand No 33 (Home Guard).

The government is said to have initiated the move in order to defend itself and counter against the charge to be hurled by the opposition members on the day of the discussion on matter relating to the killing of Y Krishnadas and the involvement of some UTPs in the killing.