Maoist threat: Jails put on alert in Bihar

All the jails in Bihar have been put on alert following intelligence report that outlawed CPI (Maoist) may attack prisons to free its hardcore members, reports Ramashankar.

All the jails in Bihar have been put on alert following intelligence report that outlawed CPI (Maoist) may attack prisons to free its hardcore members.

HT Image

IG (Prisons) Sandip Paundrik said that the district magistrates and the superintendents of police had been asked to beef up security of jails under their jurisdiction.

He said the officials in Gaya, Beur, Jehanabad, Masaurhi, Motihari, Jamui, Bagaha, Buxar, Begusarai, Bettiah and Sitamarhi had been directed to remain extra vigilant because a significant number of Maoists were lodged in jails there.

The IG (Prisons) said even some Maoist leaders could be shifted to other jails as a precautionary measure. "I have sought reports from some district magistrates in this regard," he said.

Top officials of the state administration, at a meeting, also decided to fortify the police stations in vulnerable areas on a priority basis.

IG (Headquarters) Anil Sinha said the government had decided much earlier to create the necessary infrastructure for the police. "However, things had got delayed. The SPs have, however, been given financial powers to carry out reinforcement of police stations," he added.

State home department sources said the government was preparing a fresh list of Naxalites operating in the 14 Naxal-hit districts, while a separate list of hardcore militants was also being prepared.