Punjab Jails and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Monday, said that gangsters and notorious criminals will be housed in a new under-construction high-profile security jail near Jagraon, Ludhiana, with an aim to dismantle criminal networks operating from within the prison system. The Cabinet Minister was addressing the passing-out parade of 132 warders and 4 matrons of Batch No. 97 at the Punjab Jail Training School in Patiala.
He inspected the parade and took the ceremonial salutation.Speaking to the media, Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, who was accompanying by ADGP Jails Arun Pal Singh, said that new jails in Punjab will be constructed at least one kilometre away from habitats to ensure that advanced security systems, such as state-of-the-art jammers, do not disrupt nearby residents.
This measure will also prevent contraband like drugs and mobile phones from being smuggled into jails by external elements, he added.Highlighting the challenges faced by the Jail Department, including security concerns, staff shortages and prisoner rehabilitation, Laljit Singh Bhullar said the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is working towards modernization of the Jails including installation of artificial intelligence-based CCTV cameras and mobile jammers in prisons.
Jail Minister also announced that the recruitment of 13 DSPs, 175 warders, 4 matrons and additional doctors and paramedical staff to be initiated soon to strengthen the department. As part of prisoner rehabilitation initiatives, petrol pumps have been installed in eight prisons across Punjab, he added.
While congratulating the newly graduated warders and matrons, Laljit Singh Bhullar urged them to perform their duties with honesty, integrity and fearlessness while adhering to the law. He also advised them to contribute to the welfare of prisoners.
The Jail Minister presented awards to outstanding trainees including Matron Gurinder Kaur for excelling in indoor training, Warder Ramandeep Singh for shooting and Warder Amandeep Singh for outdoor training. Parade commanders and platoon leaders were also honoured for their exceptional performance.
The event concluded with demonstrations of martial arts, unarmed combat and a vibrant Bhangra performance by the trainees. The function was attended by senior officials including IG Jails Roop Kumar Arora, DIG Jails Surinder Singh, Superintendent of Central Jail Patiala Varun Sharma and other dignitaries.