Need better security in Tihar: Sheila

Unhappy with jail authorities for recent custody deaths,clashes.

Distressed over repeated security oversights in the Tihar Jail,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said the government would not tolerate such lapses in future. While ordering that a blueprint of steps necessary to plug holes in security be completed and submitted to her within a week,Dikshit also directed jail authorities to keep the government informed about all developments within the jail.

Dikshit chaired a review meeting of the security situation in Tihar Jail three days after an inmate died and four others were injured,following a clash between two factions. We are unhappy with jail authorities,particularly after certain recent incidents. We have warned jail officials that the Delhi government would not tolerate such lapses in the future, Dikshit said.

The review meeting included Chief Secretary D M Spolia,Principal Secretary (Home),Arvind Ray and Tihar Jail Director General Vimla Mehra. In recent months security within the jail has come under the scanner,particularly after Ram Singh,an accused in the December 16 gangrape case allegedly committed suicide in his cell on March 11,despite being on watch. Three days later,a 30-year-old woman inmate allegedly committed suicide in the jail.

After the two suicides,Dikshit had asked for a blueprint of security upgrades required to better manage the system. Senior Delhi government officials on Monday said jail officials had admitted that the report was far from complete. The CM has now given Tihar Jail time till the end of the week to complete the blueprint, a senior government official said.

According to Dikshit,the blueprint,including steps to strengthen security-related infrastructure and administrative steps,should be prepared taking into consideration the lapses observed recently. The government is willing to give Tihar Jail all the help and support it requires but we cannot do anything until they tell us, Dikshit said.

LAPSES

n Ram Singh,an accused in the December 16 gangrape case allegedly hangs himself in his cell on March 11 despite being on watch

n Woman inmate allegedly kills self on March 14

n Prisoners of a high-security ward in Tihars jail number 4 clash with guards from the Tamil Nadu state police on April 9. Two policemen and two inmates suffered grievous injuries

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n A 27-year-old prisoner,Javed Khan,was killed and three others were injured as two groups of prisoners clashed on May 3. Khan was stabbed with a sharp steel plate

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