India - Prisons put on alert in view of Maoist attacks

PATNA: The Centre has issued a letter to all the ‘left wing-affected (LWE) states’, asking for security audit especially in the prisons where Maoists are lodged. Acting on the letter, the state home (prisons) department has directed the DMs and SPs of the Maoists-hit districts, including Patna, to audit the security arrangements and enhance the same, wherever necessary. According to intelligence inputs, Red rebels increase their operations in February and March.
But keeping in view the recent Maoist attacks in the state, the state prisons have been put on high alert. IG (prisons and correctional services) Anand Kishore told TOI on Thursday security audit of all the prisons had been done. In his letter to the DMs and SPs, Kishore said the officials concerned could request the district judge to conduct trial of Maoist prisoners through videoconference. In case of non-availability of the technology, Maoist prisoners should be transported to the court in separate vehicles with adequate security. Security personnel could also be deployed on the roads during the transit.
The IG said one DSP along with the jail superintendent would ensure the security of every prison. Incidents of Maoist prisoners using mobile phones from the prison premises have also increased in recent times. The prison staff should be made accountable if mobile phones are found from the possession of inmates. Talking about mobile phone jammers, Kishore said, “It takes between Rs 20 crore and 25 crore to install jammers in one jail.”