Security arrangements at Tihar Jail are causing signal problem for local residents. This was brought to the notice of jail authorities on Wednesday.

Sources from the jail blamed the ‘robust infrastructure’ being utilised by ‘newer telecom service providers’ to upgrade their jamming capabilities and the location of the prison complex, which happens to be adjacent to a residential area. A similar complex at Mandoli is yet to become usable.

The sources also said that the proximity of high-rise residential quarters had emerged as ground-zero to launch proscribed items onto its campus.

Former Janakpuri councillor Sanjey Puri said hundreds of families residing near the complex are affected by the jammers installed on its premises, which are wreaking havoc on their cell phone signals on a daily basis.

“The issue has been a cause of concern for people living in the surrounding colonies over half a decade. Most residents, especially women professionals and students, who feel the need to be in touch with their families while travelling , are the worst hit,” Mr. Puri said.

A delegation of local residents led by Mr. Puri handed over a representation to DIG (Prisons) Mukesh Prasad over what they said was the ‘uncontrolled range’ of jammers that block cell phone signals in the colonies around the jail premises, particularly in the Janakpuri area.

On their part, prison authorities said a connectivity survey had been initiated to discover what they termed ‘a middle path solution’ and had both the interests of the security establishment and the residents’ connectivity woes at its core. “We have taken note of their concerns and brought these to the notice of BEL, the public sector company, which has installed the jammers at the jail,” Mr. Prasad told The Hindu .

A delegation led by former Janakpuri councillor submitted a representation to the DIG (Prisons)(from THE HINDU)