Residents, businesses and institutions around the Mangaluru District Central Jail are facing mobile network problems allegedly due to the high-powered jammer installed at the prison.
Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath has raised the issue, calling for measures to ensure that the jammer’s effects remain confined to the jail premises.
Network problems affect daily life
The jammer has reportedly disrupted mobile connectivity in areas surrounding the prison, affecting residents as well as commercial establishments and offices.
The disruption has also raised concerns about access to essential communication services. Earlier reports on the issue have noted difficulties with mobile calls, online transactions and other services dependent on cellular connectivity.
The location of the jail in the heart of the city has increased the impact, with several residential, commercial and institutional establishments situated nearby.
Kamath seeks immediate solution
Kamath has been raising concerns over the jammer and its impact on people living and working around the prison.
He has argued that the device should be calibrated or operated in a manner that prevents its signal from affecting areas outside the jail.
The issue has previously led to protests, including a demonstration by BJP workers in April 2025, when concerns were raised over disruption to mobile services within a wider radius of the prison.
Balancing security and public access
Jammers are intended to prevent unauthorised mobile communication inside prisons. However, their impact on surrounding areas has raised concerns about balancing prison security with the communication needs of the public.
The Karnataka Government has previously acknowledged the inconvenience caused to people living near the Mangaluru prison and indicated that steps would be taken to limit the jammer’s range to the prison premises.
The latest concerns have once again brought the issue of mobile connectivity around the jail into focus, with residents seeking a lasting solution that does not compromise either prison security or essential public communication.