HM pulls up officials on jail lapses

IMPHAL, August 31: The state Home Minister Gaikhangam has instructed the state DGP Yumnam Joykumar IPS and DG (Prisons) MK Das IPS to take up measures for revamping jail security in the state.

In discussions with the two top ranking officials the Home Minister took exception to the state of affairs in the jails of Manipur especially Sajiwa Central Jail.

He said, a few militant leaders lodged inside the jail are allegedly conducting criminal activities outside the jail premises through the use of mobile phones and through agents who regularly visit the jail for obtaining instructions from the militant leaders there.

It may be recalled here that, a KCP faction leader Th Nando was recently arrested from inside the jail premises in connection with a threat to several Imphal based editors by group claiming to be cadres of one KYKL-MDF and the grenade attack at the residence of the President of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) Ahongsangbam Mobi.

Following his arrest, the police conducted operations and recovered two mobile handsets from the septic tank of Sajiwa Jail.

According to unofficial forces, a gun with two rounds of ammunition was also recovered in the said operation although official sources deny it.

Meanwhile, a suspect involved in the attack on AMWJU President A Mobi on August 11 was arrested by a team of Singjamei police yesterday. The individual is identified as Thingbaijam Chitaranjit alias Tangba, 34, s/o late Manigun of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai. A grenade was seized from his possession.

Earlier, Nando’s stepmother was also arrested along with weapons by police, while his father Th Subol is presently lodged in the Sajiwa Jail.

He was produced before the CJM, Imphal West today and remanded for 8 days in police custody.

On the other hand, the prime accused Thokchom Nando, s/o Subol of Khangabok Part 3 was remanded to judicial custody.

The Home Minister instructed DG Prisons MK Das to launch investigations on how the mobile handsets and sim cards reached Th Nando which he said would not have been possible without the help of either the jail staff or security personnel posted in the jail.

The Minister further suggested changes in the three layered security of the jail premises by posting CRPF personnel in the outer ring and inner ring and the police commandos in the middle ring and prohibiting use of mobile phone inside the jail including those of the police commandos.

At present, the CRPF are the perimeter security while the second layer and third innermost layer are being manned by the police commandos and the jail staff respectively.

When asked about the proposed installation mobile jammers inside the jail premises the Home Minister, it is being delayed as certain procedures had to be followed including approval of the Union Home Ministry.

He however informed media persons that all efforts are made to fast-track the process and the installation of the mobile jammer at the earliest.