The Hindu : Front Page : Security stepped up in central prisons

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 24, 2005

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Front Page

Security stepped up in central prisons

Tamil Nadu Bureau

Following Central alert Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel deployed Following Central alert, Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel deployed

MADURAI: Security has been increased in central prisons of Tamil Nadu following an alert from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Intelligence.

Besides strengthening external security, the jail authorities have stepped up the vigil on prisoners in high security blocks. The move comes close on the heels of the Jehanabad jailbreak in Bihar. Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) V. Balachandran reviewed security arrangements in Palayamkottai, Madurai and Chennai this week and held discussions with senior jail officials.

Instructions issued

"Based on the alert message received from the MHA and Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence), instructions have been issued to superintendents of central prisons to take all precautionary measures to prevent untoward incidents," he said.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Tuesday, Mr. Balachandran said Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel had been deployed for outer security.

"Security has been beefed up in all the eight central prisons. Jail warders have been told to keep a close watch on prisoners/visitors and also take precautionary steps while sending inmates to the court/hospital."

Patrolling intensified

In Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri too, security has been tightened following an alert on the eve of the death anniversary of Siva, a naxalite leader, shot dead in an encounter three years ago. The police have brought 192 villages in both districts under tight surveillance.

Security has been tightened at border checkposts.

Patrolling has also been intensified on the State's borders.

District jails

Mr. Balachandran said district jails were coming up in eight places, including Nagercoil, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar and Nagapattinam. These would ease congestion in central prisons.

Infrastructure development and facilities for jail staff were being taken up under the Modernisation of Prison Administration scheme.

On amendments to the Jail Manual, he said the Government had formed a committee comprising two retired police officers, Walter I Dawaram and R.L. Handa, for updating it.

"The committee has already revised 36 chapters and is in an advanced stage of completing its task."

Videoconferencing system

Mr. Balachandran said introduction of the video-conferencing system was of immense help to law enforcing agencies.

Since it linked select courts and prisons, the remand extension exercise had become easy.

"On an average, 600 prisoners get their remand extended through the VCS."

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