Shillong, November 5: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has introduced GPS tracker anklets, a first in India, to monitor terror accused who are on bail.
As per Daily Excelsior, the technology is used to ensure that they do not engage in anti-national or anti-social activities or attempt to influence witnesses. This technology, previously used in Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, is now being adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to closely watch the movements of accused individuals on bail, parole, or house arrest.
The report suggested that the initiative aims to reduce congestion in prisons. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a Hizbul Mujahideen activist involved in terror financing, is the first terror accused to be tagged with a tracker anklet after being released on bail in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) at Udhampur Police Station.
The GPS tracker anklets can be affixed to the ankle and have tamper-proof features, alerting law enforcement if the person goes beyond authorized limits. The introduction of these anklets aligns with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs to explore cost-effective tracking solutions for individuals out on bail, addressing concerns related to witness influence, attempts to leave the country, or committing further crimes.