Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Updated
Mangaluru, Nov 3: ADGP (law and order) Alok Mohan on Tuesday November 3 visited the district jail in the wake of the murders of two inmates, Madoor Isubu and his associate Ganesh Shetty.
Addressing a press meet later at the police commissioner's office, Alok Mohan said that it was a pre-planned attack by a gang and investigations are on to ascertain if there were any outsiders involved.
"On Monday morning at around 8.30 am, five to six people attacked and murdered Madoor Isubu while he walking inside the prison. Ganesh Shetty was inside the cell adjoining Isubu's, and he too was attacked. It was a pre-planned murder. The attackers crossed the compound between the old and new jail buildings," he said, adding, "The investigation is under progress and once it is over, a clear picture will emerge."
He also said that a case has been registered against five persons, and depending on the evidences, more cases may be filed. "We are looking into how many were involved in the case inside as well as outside the jail," he added.
Asked about the entry of weapons into the jail and whether they have been seized, he said, "We are interrogating the persons involved. The weapon used was a knife and it has not been seized yet. It might have been thrown out from the jail premises over the compound wall or hidden somewhere. We are investigating."
Asked about injuries sustained by the dead persons, he said Isubu had 40 stab injuries while Ganesh died of head injuries caused by a blunt weapon and he had no stab injury.
Regarding claims by an undertrial on Tuesday morning that jail staff were involved in the case, Alok Mohan said, "It is a matter of speculation. There is a tree on the border of the prison compound and one of its branches bends towards the jail. There may be a chance that someone climbed the tree and threw the knife into jail premises. We have formed a special team which is scanning the entire jail with metal detectors to find the murder weapon. Give us some time for proper enquiry."
On whether the jail staff opened the cells of the accused persons as claimed by the undertrial, he said, "Whoever is responsible will be dealt with strictly as per the law and the rules of the police department. No one will be spared and strict action will be taken."
To a question on whether the police department was aware about ganja and other items being smuggled into the jail, he said, "Search operations are conducted regularly in jail. The prisons department searches the jail once every three months."
He also said that a special committee led by DCP (crime) under the supervision of police commissioner S Murugan has been formed to investigate the case.
On why notorious criminals were lodged in the old jail, he said the jail authorities would look into it. "We will strengthen the security outside the jail by deploying CISF personnel soon," he said.
IGP Amrit Paul, police commissioner S Murugan and SP Dr Sharanappa were present.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Jail clash - ADGP Kamal Pant inspects; inmate claims staff 'supplied knife'
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Nov 3: A day after a major clash broke out in the district jail between two gangs resulting in the deaths of two inmates, Madoor Isubu and his associate Ganesh Shetty, ADGP and IGP (prisons) Kamal Pant on Tuesday November 3 visited the jail and conducted enquiry.
Speaking to reporters later, Kamal Pant said, "I have come to study the situation in the jail and I have examined where and how the incident took place. I have held discussions with the police, jail officials, staff and inmates.
"The enquiry is not over. Two deaths have taken place inside the jail and they are murders. We have taken this issue very seriously," he added.
"Mysuru jail superintendent Anand Reddy has also been asked to probe the incident. We are making detailed enqury into how weapons came into the jail, where they were kept and the motive behind it.Internal enquiry is going on.
"I spoke to the police commissioner yesterday (Monday) and today also we will hold a meeting with him. We will take proper action in the case," he said.
Regarding reports about an inmate, identified as Mohammed Basheer, going missing from the jail, he said, "He is not missing, he is inside the jail. There was one inmate less during attendance, but he was found later. He was just hiding out of fear after yesterday's incident."
To a question on why notorious criminals were being lodged in the old jail building, he said, "There are several groups among inmates in the jail. After studying them properly, to avoid clashes, different groups were kep in separate buildings. From last five months there was no group clash."
Asked whether any official or staff was involved in the clash as alleged, he said, "If any official or jail staff is found to be involved, strict action will be taken he will be made an accused in the murder case."
Regarding CCTVs in the jail, he said, "There are no CCTVs in the old jail building. In this budget we have placed a proposal for additional CCTVs for jails. Based on the central prison model, we have sanctioned Central Industrial Security Force for jails and within 15 days about 40 personnel will be deployed."
To a question on the capacity of the district jail, he said, "The new building can accomodate 200 inmates but there are 400. Hence some were shifted to the old building. Later if the number comes down, they will be shifted back to the new building."
Asked if the incident had any communal motive, he said, "It is premature and not correct to comment on it."
'Jail staff supplied knife'
Meanwhile, an undertrial identified as Faizal, who was being taken to the court on Tuesday told reporters that the jail staff had 'abetted' the murder of Isubu and Ganesh.
"There was some setting with the jail staff because of which the murders took place. On the previous night at around 11.30 pm, jail staff Chakresh brought a knife in a blue packet and gave it to the accused," Faizal claimed.
"Two other jail staff, Rajendra and Puttanna opened the cell of the accused first on the day of the clash. They usually open cells of another inmate first," he added.
He said he also gave this information to ADGP Kamal Pant.