Mangaluru: Minister for Home, IT-BT and e-Governance Priyank Kharge said necessary technical measures are being implemented to address mobile network disruptions reported by residents and other users in areas surrounding the Mangaluru District Prison.
Kharge said mobile signal jammers installed on the prison premises had been affecting mobile connectivity in neighbouring areas. Following complaints from the public, a joint technical survey was conducted to assess the issue and identify measures to reduce the impact of the jammers outside the prison.
Based on the findings of the survey, the concerned agency has initiated steps to modify the antenna design and adjust the jammer capacity in accordance with the security requirements of the prison.
Technical measures to reduce disruptions
According to the minister, further technical adjustments are being carried out to ensure that the jammers perform their intended function within the prison while minimising unnecessary disruption to mobile networks in surrounding areas.
The authorities are also coordinating with telecom service providers as part of the technical fine-tuning process.
The coordination is intended to help identify and address network-related issues arising from the operation of the jammers and improve mobile connectivity in areas surrounding the prison.
Kharge stressed that the security requirements of the prison would continue to be maintained while efforts are made to prevent avoidable inconvenience to people living and working in the neighbouring areas.
“While prison security is of utmost importance, it is equally necessary to ensure that residents and other users around the prison do not face unnecessary disruptions in mobile connectivity,” the minister said.
Survey conducted after public complaints
The issue came to attention after residents and other mobile users in areas surrounding the Mangaluru District Prison reported problems with mobile connectivity.
The installation and operation of signal jammers within prison premises are intended to prevent unauthorised mobile communication and strengthen security. However, the range of such equipment can affect connectivity beyond the prison compound if the systems are not appropriately configured.
Following the complaints, a joint technical survey was undertaken to examine the extent of the disruption and determine possible corrective measures.
The findings have now led to changes being considered in the antenna configuration and jammer capacity.
The authorities are seeking to strike a balance between the operational requirements of the prison’s security system and the need for reliable telecommunications services in neighbouring areas.
Telecom operators to be involved
Telecom service providers are being brought into the coordination process to support the technical adjustments.
The involvement of service providers is expected to help authorities fine-tune the system and mitigate its impact on mobile network services outside the prison.
Mobile connectivity has become essential not only for voice calls but also for internet-based communication, digital payments, emergency services, professional activities and access to online services.
The reported disruption had therefore affected a wider group of users in the vicinity of the prison, including people using facilities located nearby.
Officials and technical agencies are working together to improve network service quality while ensuring that the prison’s security arrangements remain operational.
Advocates detained during protest
Meanwhile, the mobile jammer issue also led to a protest by advocates at the Mangaluru District Court on Friday.
Advocates were detained by police at the district court complex while they were proceeding towards Praja Soudha, where the State Cabinet meeting was being held. The advocates had planned to gherao the venue and demand action over the disruption caused by the prison’s mobile signal jammers.
The march was led by Mangalore Bar Association president advocate Jagadish Shenava.
The advocates began their march from the district court premises towards Praja Soudha. Police stopped them at the court complex and detained them before taking them away in police vehicles.
The advocates said the mobile jammers installed at the district prison were affecting mobile and internet connectivity even within the nearby court premises.
Court connectivity becomes a concern
The reported disruption has particular significance for the district court complex because lawyers and other court users increasingly depend on mobile and internet services for professional communication and access to digital resources.
The advocates had sought immediate intervention to address what they described as the impact of the prison jammers on connectivity within and around the court premises.
The detention of the advocates occurred while the Cabinet was meeting at Praja Soudha in Padil as part of the state government’s first Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.
The protest brought the connectivity issue directly before the authorities at a time when the state leadership was present in the city.
Balancing prison security and public connectivity
The government’s response focuses on maintaining the security purpose of the jammers while reducing their unintended effect on users outside the prison.
The technical modifications to antenna design and jammer capacity are aimed at restricting the effective operation of the system to the extent required for prison security.
At the same time, coordination with telecom operators is expected to help authorities monitor network performance and make additional technical adjustments wherever necessary.
The issue highlights the challenge of operating security equipment in an urban environment where prisons, courts, residential areas, offices and other public facilities can be located in close proximity.
Conclusion
Minister Priyank Kharge has said technical measures are being implemented to address mobile network disruptions around the Mangaluru District Prison. A joint survey has resulted in steps to modify the jammer system, while coordination with telecom service providers is under way. The issue also prompted advocates to stage a march at the district court, demanding relief from connectivity problems reported within the nearby court premises.