Security beefed up in Jammu jail

Security beefed up in Jammu jail
PRADEEP DUTTA

JAMMU, DEC 28: Till late on Monday, there was no word regarding either shifting or release of Moulana Azhar Masood, an idealogue of the pan-Islamic militant outfit Harkat-ul Mujahideen, whose release is being sought by the hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight, IC-814.

The security both inside and outside the jail premises has been beefed up. After every second hour, senior police officials are making a round of the jail.

While speaking to The Indian Express, Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Minister of State for Home, said, ``So far we have not received any indications from Delhi about his release.''

But, he said, they have tightened security around all the prisons and also the airport, as they do not want to take any chances.

Whereas the hijackers are trying every bit to get the Moulana released from jail, second hand information from middle-ranking jail officials indicates that the Moulana has expressed his unwillingness to get himself released as a bargain for the release of the passengers.