High-security jail for hardcore criminals to come up on Kaimur hills

Sasaram: Hardcore criminals of the state will be lodged in the proposed high-security prison to be constructed on the Kaimur hills, an area that was once known as part of the Maoist “red corridor”.

The state govt has approved the construction of this high-security prison near Sarodag village in Adhaura block of Kaimur district, located about 76 km away from the district headquarters at Bhabua and surrounded by dense forests and mountains.


According to Bhabua Mandal jail superintendent Sandeep Kumar, the project will involve a significant expenditure. IG (prisons) Pranav Kumar had earlier written to the district administration seeking 50 to 75 acres of govt land for the construction of the prison.

Following the request, DM Nitin Kumar Singh, along with other officials, visited the proposed site a few days ago to inspect the land. After the inspection, the district administration selected land near Sarodag village and forwarded a proposal to the prison department. Based on the proposal submitted by the Kaimur administration, the department has now granted approval for the construction of the high-security prison.

The superintendent said once the necessary departmental formalities are completed, construction will begin according to prescribed standards. The project will include the main high-security prison building along with prisoner barracks, the superintendent’s residence, guard barracks, boundary walls, toilets and bathing facilities.

To maintain strict security, only one access road will be constructed to the prison complex. Security checkpoints will be installed at several locations along the route. Apart from authorised administrative officials, no one will be allowed to enter or exit the area. The prison premises and the surrounding region will remain under round-the-clock high-security surveillance.

The objective of the prison is to completely isolate the criminals so that they cannot maintain contact with networks outside or continue illegal activities from inside the prison. Because of the remote forested location in the Adhaura region, cellphone networks will not function in the area. Only satellite communication systems used by the prison administration will operate there.

Authorities are also planning special arrangements for air transport of criminals, if they are required to be produced in courts.

Officials said as several existing prisons are easily accessible, and they often witness a large number of visitors, which weakens security.

There is no public transport facility for the proposed prison site as only two or three buses ply from district headquarters to block headquarters Adhaura.