Mobile jammer in state jails yet to actualize
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Ningthoukhongjam Sanajaoba

Imphal, October 04 2011: Absence of security clearance from the Central government's Directorate of Wireless is proving a big hindrance to the state government's plan of installing mobile jammer in state jails, according to an official source.

Mobile jammers in Jails of Imphal are required to keep track of unwanted and illegal activities often carried out by the inmates.

Since mobile jammers are absent in Imphal jails, no inmate is allowed to have mobile phone.

Even staffs and officials including security personnel inside the jail are prohibited from using mobile phones.

The source further revealed that the Home Department had sanctioned an amount of Rs 2.70 crores from the 2009-10 state funds to a company by the name Bharat Electronics Limited for the procurement of the equipment s for installing mobile phone jammer.

But unfortunately, due to the absence of security clearance from the central government's side, installation of mobile jammer has been delayed.

As soon as the clearance arrives from the Central government the mobile jammer will be set up immediately.

Tight security arrangements have also been made to avoid unwanted happenings as a result of the use of mobile phones in the jail campus by the inmates.

But unfortunately total ban on the use of mobile inside the jail has not been possible.

As such, all possible attempts have been made to get the security clearance from the Central government.

Apart from the 740 inmate capacity Shajiwa Central jail and 250 inmate capacity Manipur Central jail, all other jails in the state have become defunct.

The 50-60 inmate capacity jail in Chandel and Churachandpur has not been able to function properly due to shortage of security personnel and lack of proper building structure.

Jails construction in Senapati and Tamenglong has not been completed still today.

In Ukhrul, it has been turned into a government polytechnic.

Due to the non functioning of other district jails, the Imphal Central jail has been reserved for female inmates while the Shajiwa Central jail is being occupied by male inmates.

At present there are 607 prisoners in Shajiwa jail and 44 prisoners in Imphal jail.

An additional block with a capacity of 200 inmates has been constructed in Shajiwa Central jail.

For the first time in the state, a high security prison has also been constructed on the southern block of Shajiwa jail.

All criminals associated with big and dangerous crimes are to be kept in this special block, said the source.

The source says that, even though both the Jails in Imphal East and West are still run with the Assam Manual, a special manual, special security and selected staffs will be assigned for this block.

This block is being built with funds from the first phase under the Police Modernisation.

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