The superintendent of Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam has been arrested due to a significant security breach that led to the smuggling of various electronic devices into a high-security cell within the facility.
This cell was notably occupied by Amritpal Singh, the leader of the pro-separatist group "Waris Punjab De" and a radical Sikh preacher, since his arrest in April of the previous year.
The arrest of the jail superintendent, Nripen Das, occurred late on 7th March at Dibrugarh Sadar Police Station, following accusations of negligence.
A recent search inside the jail unearthed mobile phones, a remote with a keypad, and other electronic gadgets, prompting an investigation led by Superintendent of Police Rakesh Reddy. The inquiry revealed a potential collusion between Das and other jail officials, facilitating unauthorised activities within the prison.
This discovery has raised concerns over national security, leading to Das's arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Assam Prisons Act, and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy.
Additional Police Superintendent for Crime in Dibrugarh, Sizal Agarwal, emphasised the gravity of the breach as a matter of national security.
Despite the jail's extensive CCTV and multi-tier security system, the smuggling of devices such as smartphones, a TV remote with a keyboard, a spy-cam pen, and other gadgets into Singh's cell indicates severe lapses. Chief of Assam Police Gyanendra Pratap Singh highlighted the discovery of these items during a search last month, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation and the subsequent reassignment of certain prison staff members.
