Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Feb 2: Director general of police (DGP) (prisons) H N Sathyanarayana Rao on Tuesday February 2 visited the Mangaluru disrict prison and conducted an inspection in the wake of the recent double murders and reports of frequent clashes among inmates.
He also visited Mudipu to inspect 63 acres of government land that is said to be earmarked for the construction of a new jail.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the prison, Rao said, "Mobile jammers will be installed in the jail premises within a month. Currently there are CCTV cameras, but more are required."
Regarding the recent raid on the jail premises led by police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, wherein ganja and several mobile phones were found, he said, "Mobile phones, ganja and other items get into the jail despite having scanners. This is because of security lapse. We accept the lapse and will ensure that it will not happen in future. The inspection will be made stricter."
On the double murders in the jail premises in November 2015, he said, "We have already submitted the report and inquiry is in progress."
He further said, "This jail is overcrowded. It is very unique prison in state as most of the undertrials are youngsters. They can be shifted to other jails but bringing them back to the city for court procedures is a risky job as there is ghat section and other issues to consider. A different sort of approach is required to handle the inmates here."
On the alleged involvement of long-serving internal staff in illegal activities inside the jail premises, he said, "Many transfers have taken place and right now the staff that are deployed are on temporary basis. The staff strength is very bad. In the state about 320 appointments will be made shortly and 28 vacancies for warders will be filled.
"The jail staff are low on morale. I have advised them to boost their morale and efficiency, and to do so various resources persons will be sent to give talks on leadership qualities and other skills. People usually hesitate to take posting in Mangaluru jail."
He also said that the new jail at Mudipu may take about three or four years to be ready.
On the escape of two undertrials from Hiriadka jail in Udupi, the DGP said, "There is no proposal to shift the Hiriadka jail but a few repairs and renovations have to be done immeidately."
Police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, ACP Tilakchandra and other officials were present.