Plans to step up security at all central prisons

CID chief-led panel to suggest measures to govt in 3 weeks

The State government has set up a three-member committee of police officials headed by Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Bipin Gopalakrishna to examine the security system at all the central prisons in the State and make recommendations to strengthen it, Home Minister K J George said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the committee will visit all the eight central prisons, including the one at Bangalore, study the existing system of security and suggest ways to tighten it. The government will take appropriate steps based on the report which will be submitted in three weeks' time, he added.

The government's move comes in the wake of the recent escape of serial rapist Jaishanker from the Bangalore Central Prisons. Additional Director General of Police (Crime) N S Megharikh and Bangalore’s Joint Commissioner of Police S Ravi are other members of the panel.

The committee will also examine the feasibility of installing watch towers and introducing bio metric and scanning systems at these prisons. The intention is to make them high-security ones, the minister said.

Besides, the government has directed Additional Chief Secretary S R Pattnaik to look into the issue of Jaishanker's escape and submit a report to the government, he added.

Sophisticated weapons

George said that though the State government had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking supply of sophisticated weapons for the police personnel in the State, the Centre has still not done it. The State will agains urge the Centre to expedite the process. There is a need to upgrade the weapons in the Police department. The government will phase out old and outdated weapons and buy new ones, he added.

The minister said the State government has also requested the Centre to declare the State as naxal-affected.

“This does not mean that there is an increase in naxal activity. It is well under control. It is because the State will get funds from the Centre to take up the development of the naxal-affected areas,” he explained.