Assam: Dibrugarh jail staff arrested in connection with seizure of equipment | Latest News India

The warden of Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail was arrested on Friday for allegedly confiscating electronic devices from the possession of an inmate belonging to the extremist group Waris Punjabi De, news agency PTI reported citing police sources. . The police officer was arrested in the morning for “laxity” and is currently lodged at Dibrugarh Sadar police station.

The official also said the arrest was related to the seizure of electronic devices from a cell housing prisoners under the National Security Act (NSA) last month, PTI reported. Items seized from prisoners linked to pro-Khalistan forces included smartphones with SIM cards, keypad phones, TV remote controls with keyboards, spy camera pens, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones and speakers. .

Dibrugarh jail security breach

Last month, serious security lapses were identified in the National Security Act (NSA) cells of Assam’s high-security Dibrugarh prison. This is where separatist leader and Waris Punjabi Party leader Amritpal Singh and his associates are currently being held.

“See NSA Detainees in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam – Having received information about irregularities taking place inside NSA cells, additional CCTV cameras have been installed in public areas of NSA Block,” Police Commissioner Singh told X Posted.

Following alerts to these activities, additional surveillance cameras were installed in the common zone of the NSA division. The prison has a comprehensive security system featuring round-the-clock triple-tier security, CCTV surveillance and close coordination between state and central authorities.

Pro-Khalistan group members in Dibrugarh jail

Since March 19 last year, 10 members of the pro-Khalistan group, including leader Amritpal Singh and one of his relatives, have been arrested in Dibrugarh. They were arrested from different parts of Punjab during the crackdown on the organization under the National Security Act (NSA).

The extremist Sikh preacher and nine of his associates, including his relatives, were detained under NSA and transferred to a prison in Assam where strict security measures were taken. Afterwards, family members and legal representatives were allowed to meet. Amritpal Singh is reportedly kept in a solitary confinement cell and his associates in a separate cell.

Before his arrest, Singh had evaded a crackdown on him and his followers by the Punjab police for more than a month.

Once they were transferred to Dibrugarh, extensive safety measures were taken, including installing additional surveillance cameras and repairing or replacing broken cameras. Established in 1859-1860, Dibrugarh Jail is known as one of the oldest and most secure prisons in northeastern India.