Punjab: High alert in 4 prisons after jailbreak report
What's the story
Security has been beefed up across four jails in Punjab—Ferozepur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda—after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an alert regarding a possible jailbreak.
As per inputs, Babar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harvinder Singh Rinda has planned intrusions into these jails to "release prominent gangsters."
Rinda was accused of an explosion at the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali last month.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development holds significance after a series of violent incidents rocked Punjab over the past few months.
In March, kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian was murdered.
In May, a rocket was hurled at the police Intelligence headquarters in Mohali and then singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moose Wala was killed on May 29.
All these attacks have been operated from abroad in connivance with local gangsters.
Jailbreak
MHA wing wrote to Punjab Police about Rinda's plan
The MHA's Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau wrote to the Punjab Police mentioning Rinda's jailbreak plan to ensure the release of "some prominent gangsters and militants."
"Besides utilizing his Punjab-based cohorts, Rinda is also likely to rope in some jehadi elements in the execution of the plan. The likely targets of execution could be Bathinda jail, Ferozepur jail, Amritsar jail, or Ludhiana jail," its letter read.
Reviews security
Punjab jail minister visits prisons
Meanwhile, Punjab Jails Minister Harjot Singh Bains visited the jails to review the security arrangements.
He also shared a post on Twitter showing pictures of his visit to the Bathinda, Faridkot, and Ferozepur central jails.
He also said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was modernizing prisons and additional staff was being hired to address the shortage of manpower.
Twitter Post
Bains visits prisons
Made Surprise visits to Bathinda, Faridkot Ferozepur Central Jails. Checked Security Measures and got frisked High Security Cells. pic.twitter.com/HBNUjMB9bv
— Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) June 4, 2022
Tight security
1,000 mobile phones confiscated
Additionally, to ensure tight security in the jails and to stop gangsters from operating from the barracks, the Punjab government is handing over the additional charge of prisons to Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who is the Additional Director General of Police, Special Task Force (STF).
Bains said over 1,000 mobile phones have also been confiscated from the prisons since the AAP assumed power in Punjab.