Jailed 'militants' under watch
Suspects shifted to central jails from other prisons
Convicted and suspected militants from different jails have been shifted to the central jails across the country as part of an intensified security measure.
The security inside the prisons has been beefed up and over 500 militant suspects are under constant watch.
The move came in the wake of the recent militant attacks -- one on a Gulshan café killing 22 people, including 17 foreigners, and the other one near Sholakia Eidgah claiming four lives.
“The convicted and suspected militants have been kept in separate prison cells and wards. Following the attacks, the militants serving rigorous terms are not even allowed to work [inside jail] so that they can't communicate with other inmates,” said a jail official.
Asked, he said the “militants” pass their time talking to each, listening to radios, and taking rest. Foods are supplied to their respective cells and wards on time.
A superintendent of jail, wishing not to be named, told The Daily Star that the guards are on high alert round-the-clock to avert any untoward situation.
Besides, the officials concerned are regularly assessing security arrangements and monitoring whether the prison guards are performing their duties properly.
“There is an order to hand out severe punishment to any prison guard if he is found not doing his duties properly,” said another jail official.
Only the family members and the close relatives are being allowed to talk to the convicts and suspected militants and that too, for not more than 20 minutes.
The visitors have to come with the photocopies of their national ID card, said a jailer of a Kashimpur jail.
Representatives from different intelligence agencies also remain present during the meet.
In late June, the government issued a red alert for all jails based on intelligence that subversive activities might be carried out in any of those.
A top jail official had said the authorities issued the alert following a warning from the home ministry that a car bomb attack might take place.
Later, prison guards in and outside the jails strengthened their vigilance.