A security breach has been reported from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam, where ten members of the radical group ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD), including its chief Amritpal Singh, are currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA). Assam’s top cop, GP Singh, disclosed that unauthorized activities were detected in the National Security Act (NSA) cell, prompting a thorough investigation.
According to Director General of Police GP Singh, additional CCTV cameras were installed in the public area of the NSA Block after receiving information about unauthorised activities. Following intelligence inputs, jail staff conducted a search that resulted in the discovery of various electronic gadgets in the cell, including a smartphone with a SIM card, a keypad phone, a TV remote with a keyboard, a spycam pen, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones, and speakers.
Reference NSA detenues at Dibrugarh Jail, Assam – On receipt of Information about unauthorised activities taking place in NSA cell, additional CCTV cameras were installed in public area of NSA Block. Inputs received confirmed unauthorised activities, based on which Jail staff… pic.twitter.com/Iwf5kWOeXN
— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) February 17, 2024
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The detainees, comprising members of the WPD, have been incarcerated since March 19 last year under the NSA following arrests from different parts of Punjab. Among them is Amritpal Singh, the chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, who was apprehended by Punjab Police from Moga district on April 23, 2023.
While the source of the unauthorised articles and the mode of induction are under investigation, GP Singh affirmed that lawful actions are being pursued to address the breach and prevent future occurrences.
The Dibrugarh Central Jail, established by the British in 1859-60, is renowned as one of the oldest and high-security prisons in the Northeast. Since the arrival of WPD members, stringent security measures have been implemented, including a multi-tier security arrangement and the installation of additional CCTV cameras to bolster surveillance.
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Despite the recovery of electronic items, the DGP did not specify whether they were seized from the WDP members housed in the jail. However, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the breach and ensure the integrity of the detention facilities.