Mini mobile phones a headache for cops, Patiala jail authorities

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, July 26

The increasing prevalence of mini mobile phones, which are 1.5 inch in size, has become a headache for the police and jail authorities.

The matter came to light during the surprise checking conducted by the police in Patiala and Nabha jails.

SP City Sarfaraz Alam, who led the operation along with 250 personnel, said search was part of a coordinated effort to enhance security ahead of the Independence Day.

He added that they conducted surprise checks in barracks in collaboration with the jail staff today. Alam said: “Majority of mobile phones recovered from jails these days are very small. These are available online for around Rs 1,500. These devices have a battery life of two to three weeks on a single charge.”

“It is important to have an element of surprise as these mini cellphones can be hidden easily,” he said.

Sources said criminals often smuggle mini mobile phones into jails by concealing them in body cavities. The SIM cards used in these devices are usually procured with fake identities.

Manjit Singh Sidhu, Superintendent, Patiala Central Jail, said most cellphones seized during surprise raids were mini mobiles. “These devices are either hidden in body cavities or thrown inside the jail premises,” he said.