Mangaluru: Authorities at Mangaluru district jail have begun installing a 12-foot-high chain-link mesh atop the existing 23-foot laterite stone compound wall to prevent contraband, including ganja packets, from being thrown into the prison.With the proposed new jail in Bantwal taluk progressing slowly, officials decided to strengthen security at the existing facility, which is protected by Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF).Narcotics control has emerged as a major concern at Mangaluru jail, where habitual drug offenders form the majority of inmates.The jail houses over 350 inmates against a capacity of 210 undertrials. There have been instances of accomplices throwing contraband from two-wheelers moving along the jail road.Despite KSISF cover and CCTV surveillance, attempts to smuggle contraband have continued. Authorities and police conduct regular searches, and the city police have booked cases in such instances in the past. Mobile phones, ganja and other substances have been seized on several occasions.The project to increase wall height and install the mesh, at an estimated cost of Rs 52 lakh, is likely to be completed soon.Sharanabasappa, superintendent of district prison, told TOI that the project was taken up to ensure that no contraband enters the jail premises. The wall height will be increased by two feet and a 12-feet aluminium net will be erected atop it to prevent miscreants from throwing mobile phones, ganja and other substances, he said.The then home minister G Parameshwara inspected the construction of the new building for Mangaluru district jail in Bantwal taluk in June last year and directed officials to send a proposal so that the govt would sanction Rs 87 crore to complete the work at the earliest.On the new jail complex in Bantwal, Sharanabasappa said construction of the barracks has been completed. A compound wall has to be built around the premises, and the govt is likely to sanction funds for completion of the project, he added.
