SHILLONG, JUNE 27: Had the Meghalaya government acted on the intelligence inputs provided to it indicating that the presence of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Champion Sangma and members of other outfits inside the Shillong District Jail could lead to riot or fight, the Wednesday incident where the militant leader and four other UTPs got into scuffle and had to be rushed to the hospital could have been avoided.
Intelligence report early this year said that Champion Sangma should be transferred to some jail outside the state. It reasoned that by transferring Champion his movement would be restricted and his interacting with his cadres would be curtailed. The Meghalaya government, however, seemed to have ignored these reports.
As the reports suggested, Champion and a dozen UTPs got into a fight in the high security zone of the prison on Wednesday raising eyebrows about the security arrangement within the jail premises.
The reports to the government had given precise details of the recent activity inside the jail. It is said that four cell phones were smuggled into the prison early this year and the monthly bill incurred came to 15000 to 20000.
The prison department suggested to the government to install jammers in the jail complex, but the government had other opinions on the issue. It was also reported that Champion was moving freely outside the high security zone and was frequently intimidating other inmates and also the warders.
What was more worrisome is that the GNLA chief even moved to the female ward of the prison, which is located outside the periphery of the male ward.
Moreover, the population inside the jail had risen over 250 per cent beyond its capacity and the Government was asked to intervene in shifting some of the inmates or setting up more prison courts so that Under Trail Prisoners cases are disposed off more swiftly. Nothing of that sort happened.
The reports said that as the population has risen abnormally the prisoners were having difficulty even to find proper space to sleep and these is leading to arguments quarrels and the jail staffs were finding it difficult to control and the situation could eventually lead to riots and bigger fights.
The Director General (prisons) Kulbir Krishan has been relieved of the jail department on Wednesday night after the brawl. Sources said Kishan applied to the government to relieve him from the post from January this year as he had completed four years.
Director General of Police Prem Singh, who has opted out to remain DGP of the State, would be DG prisons after he returns from his leave. In the meantime an inspector general rank official is overseeing the department, sources added.- By Our Reporter
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