Delay in getting equipment led to security lapse?

With security in jails coming under scrutiny after the recent murder of blast accused Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, it has been learnt that more than Rs7 crore was sanctioned for installation of security measures in nine central jails across the state in February 2011. However, none of the devices have been procured. Sayli Udas Mankikar reports.

With security in jails coming under scrutiny after the recent murder of blast accused Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, it has been learnt that more than Rs7 crore was sanctioned for installation of security measures in nine central jails across the state in February 2011. However, even a year later, none of the devices have been procured.

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“The delay is procedural. A hierarchy has to be followed to obtain sanctions. A lot of scrutiny goes into the process,” said a senior home department official. On June 8, Siddiqui was allegedly strangled by two fellow prisoners in Yerawada Central Jail in Pune. Along with the absence of guards, the murder has also underscored the lack of emergency warning systems and CCTV cameras for surveillance.

Following the home ministry’s rap, the state had sanctioned Rs7.58 crore for procuring security equipment such as CCTVs, walkie-talkies, multidoor frames, hand-held mobile detectors and emergency alarms among other things. Prakash Pawar, additional director general of police (see box for procedure) was to make the purchases, said the official.

“Regular meetings have been taken on the issue. Some equipment has been purchased, which is still to be delivered,” said Satej Patil, minister of state for home.

In the next three days, the state will also issue new directives be followed by the nine central prisons. According to official sources, the directives will ask the superintendent of prisons to categorise prisoners based on their equation with other prisoners. “We have ordered an internal audit. Home guards will man the exterior area of the prison. The internal prison security will not be compromised with,” Patil said.