Role of local authorities cannot be condoned: Ex-DGP
K Koushal
With over 150 terrorists including 12 foreigners, Central Jail Kot Bhalwal in the outskirts of Jammu city has apparently turned into a “coordination centre” to “induce terror attacks”, as inmates are reportedly having free and easy access to mobile phones.
According to officials privy to the jail administration, the jail inmates including terrorists have an easy and almost free access to the mobile phones and internet facility, despite the fact that government has time and again cited security reasons for not lifting restrictions on 4G network in Jammu and Kashmir, since past one year.
“The Jammu and Kashmir administration which seems to have double standards has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India, claiming that they cannot restore high speed internet in Jammu and Kashmir because of security threat and the same administration has turned blind eye to the usage of mobile phones and internet in Jail,” said official, wishing anonymity.
“It is hard to believe that the concerned authorities and the intelligence agencies are not aware of mobile phones being used by the inmates inside jail which sounds dangerous than lifting ban on 4G internet,” he added.
“To such dreaded terrorists, communication facility is the potent tool. With the help of this communication facility, these terrorists can communicate with their associates, with whom they had worked or others who had financed them,” said Khoda, adding that there were couple of instances earlier as well.
It is not out of place to mention herein that it is the same Jail from where JeM, Chief Maulana Masood Azhar was freed in an exchange for hijacked passengers of IC-814 flight in December 1999. It still houses a large number of dreaded terrorists here in Jammu, informed official, adding that JeM Commander, Abdul Rehman Mughal along with three other associates was lodged inside the barrack and remained in touch with his handlers across Pakistan with the help of these mobile phones.
It is pertinent to mention herein that on 11th of April of 2020, Jammu and Kashmir Police reportedly smashed an active terror module of Pakistan based Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit inside the same Jail by recovering SIM cards, mobile phones and other incriminating material from one of the barracks. Despite the said Jail being the high security one and having prior incidents of inmates violating Jail rules, it seems the concerned authorities are compromising in ensuring security as the detainees are still having access to mobile phones and internet service which cannot be possible without local support and consent of higher authorities.
Talking to The Typewriter, Ex-Director General of Police-Kuldeep Khoda said that Kot Bhalwal Jail has hardened terrorists, including those involved in coordination, planning, execution and logistic support arrangement to carry out any attack.
“To such dreaded terrorists, communication facility is the potent tool. With the help of this communication facility, these terrorists can communicate with their associates, with whom they had worked or others who had financed them,” said Khoda, adding that there were couple of instances earlier as well.
Khoda asserted that earlier the security agencies have witnessed such instances in Kot Bhalwal Jail and Srinagar Central Jail.
“We have experienced that these jails have been coordination centers for the terrorists to plan and execute terror attacks,” said Ex-DGP, adding that any type of communication apparatus is banned in the jails.
He claimed that even the inmates cannot use mobile phones. “Normal criminals do not have access to the communication facilities. There are strict and direct rules that they cannot keep any communication equipment with them, but it is bizarre that terrorists are having easy access to it,” Kuldeep Khoda said and added it is threat to the security.
Taking dig at the jail authorities, Khoda said that if there is an access to mobile phones in the jail, the role of jail authorities should be investigated.
“If the inmates, including terrorists are using mobile phones, then there is a need of investigation to find out the role of connivance,” said Ex DGP, Kuldeep Khoda, adding that until the thorough investigation is not done, this problem will persist.
He stated that the solution to this problem does not lie in raiding the jails and making recoveries and file cases, but in tightening noose against the connivance.
“You will get nothing by filing case against inmates for using mobiles, because it would be a minor addition to their already existing records,” said Khoda, adding that the need of the hour is to catch the people who are providing them access to mobile phones.
On contacting the Director General of Police (Prisons), VK Singh about views over the issue, he refused to make comment on it and instead invited this journalist to his office.
Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh despite repeated attempts did not respond to the phone calls. Later, he sought query via WhatsApp message but did not feel like replying back till this story was filed.
Principal Secretary Home, Shaleen Kabra despite repeated attempts did not respond to phone calls and messages.
It is relevant to mention herein that recently the JeM terror module was found operating from Central Jail Kot Bhalwal. Besides providing all security intelligence to Pak based terror mentors on Whatsapp, the under detention Pakistani terrorists were helping the other terrorists to get legal help from modules stationed in Srinagar and Delhi, for their release.
According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the said terror module was busted shortly after the arrest of a hardcore JeM Over Ground Worker (OGW) from Chakroi in the Ranbir Singh Pura (RS Pura) area. The OGW arrested by the police was identified as Mohd Muzaffer Beigh son of Asadudullah Beig resident of Vodhpora, Handwara. He was camping in the area since March 20 and could not return to Kashmir valley due to a complete lockdown on account of the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
During questioning Mohd Muzaffar Beigh disclosed that money and SIMs were meant for some Pakistani terrorists lodged inside Kot Bhalwal Jail. The money and SIMs were concealed in the cover of some books to be delivered to the terrorists.
The Typewriter is in possession of the phone numbers that are being used by some of the inmates inside the Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu.
