Security beefed up at prisons following threat of militant snatching
The Directorate of Prisons directed the creation of a strike force as a precautionary measure against any attack. In a letter, it also issued 18 instructions to avoid possible attacks
Brigadier General AKM Mostafa Kamal Pasha, inspector general (IG) of prisons, has directed all prison authorities in the country to remain on high alert in the wake of a recent threat that militants will be snatched from prisons.
He also directed that close watch be kept on the movement of militants, top terrorists, detainees of BDR, and individuals in other sensitive cases.
Colonel Abrar Hossain, additional inspector general of prisons confirmed this to The Business Standard.
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He said, "A miscreant group recently threatened to snatch prisoners from the Lalmonirhat jail authority. We raised the security of jails across the country following the threat."
The Prison Directorate, on Sunday, issued and sent a letter containing instructions from the IG of prisons, to all the jails, regarding the matter.
It directed the creation of a strike force as a precautionary measure against any attack. The letter also contained 18 instructions to avoid possible attacks.
Some miscreants recently sent letters and made calls threatening to snatch militant prisoners from prisons, read the letter, continuing that prison is a sensitive institution. It is of great responsibility for the officers and employees of all levels of the prisons to be strict against any accident or escape of prisoners.
Recently, there has been evidence of lax security at some prisons. In this situation, it was directed in the letter that some steps be taken to ensure the security of prisons.
The instructions are to form a strike force consisting of a deputy jailer, a chief prison guard and five jail guards, at each jail, and always be ready to prevent possible attacks.
At the outer gate of the prison the guards must wear bulletproof jackets and helmets, metal detectors must be used to check arrivals, armed sentries must be deployed on duty, and the security of weapons and arsenal must be ensured.
He also wrote that necessary drills should be organised to secure quick collection of arms and ammunition from the prison arsenal, secure the boundary wall around the prison and check the alarm system.
The IG of prisons also directed police administration to keep in touch with jail authorities in the areas where such militants are lodged.
