Thrissur, Kerala: A report submitted to the NIA Court has exposed a serious security lapse at the Viyyur high-security prison in Thrissur, where just one out of 165 CCTV cameras is functioning. The revelation surfaced after the court demanded footage linked to allegations of custodial assault. 

Court seeks footage after assault allegation

The NIA Court in Ernakulam requested CCTV visuals following a complaint that Manoj (32), a Maoist undertrial, had been assaulted inside the prison.

In response, officials could provide footage only from the single working camera located in Cell No. 4.

Cameras out of warranty; repair pleas unanswered

The prison, inaugurated on February 28, 2019, houses Maoist, NIA and KAAPA inmates.

All 165 CCTV cameras went out of warranty on February 27, 2024. Despite repeated letters to prison headquarters and the Thrissur Electronics Wing of the PWD — the agency responsible under an annual maintenance contract — repairs were never undertaken.

Although funds were sanctioned and transferred, no maintenance work was carried out.

Inspection confirms complete system failure

After the court sought visuals, prison authorities again approached the PWD Electronics Wing. During the inspection, Assistant Engineer Rekha Hari and her team found that only one camera across the entire facility was functional.

The Union government has now sanctioned funds to install 176 additional CCTV cameras.