Dhaka: Bangladesh will install phone jammers in all its jails to stop "top terrorists" and political prisoners from chatting away on their mobiles in their cells, an official said today.

The decision came after four ministers and the wives of two ex-ministers were caught using cellphones in jail last month, said prison official Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui. "We're installing the jammers after detained top terrorists and some government ministers and their wives were found using mobile phones illegally in their cells in the central jails," said Siddiqui.

Authorities have invited bids for the equipment, which they plan to try out in 11 central jails before installing it in 68 jails across the country. 

"We suspect female relatives of the top prisoners brought the mobile phones inside the jail. Previously, they were not searched properly. But now our women guards search them thoroughly," Siddiqui said.

The six prisoners caught using mobiles have temporarily lost their visiting privileges and have been taken to a jail outside the capital Dhaka, he said.

Metal detectors have also been installed to stop relatives from sneaking in mobile phones. More than 150 top politicians have been arrested by Bangladesh's army-backed government as part of a nationwide crackdown on corruption.

Source : PTI