The revamped security arrangement for Mohammed Ajmal Amir, the lone survivor from a group of 10 Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) terrorists that attacked Mumbai on November 26, makes him the most prized prisoner in the city.

Despite recent media reports that LeT operatives do not commit suicide, and the R&AW intelligence of an attempt to kill him turning out to be a hoax (see box below), the state government is taking no chances. In less than a month, Ajmal will be moved into a specially constructed hi-tech cell in the Arthur Road Jail.

The multi-layered walls of the cell will be akin to a bulletproof jacket. The project, which will cost about Rs1 lakh, is likely to be completed within a month. The cell is being built on the ground floor of one of the three buildings in the Tada court premises in Arthur Road Jail.

"A unique material is being used to make the walls bullet resistant. The cell will have bunkers on all four sides," said a senior jail official, on condition of anonymity. The structure will have high walls packed with steel doors and wire mesh. The special cell, measuring 225 sq ft, will have an in-house toilet.

There will be two small air ducts at the top will for ventilation. There will be no metal fittings in the cell, and Ajmal will be served food in disposable plastic plates and spoons.

There is also an elaborate security plan in place to guard Ajmal. A dozen CCTV cameras will be installed — six of them within the cell. Footages will be relayed to a central server and monitored round-the-clock.

A team of at least 200 policemen is being specially trained to guard the terrorist. They will be armed with 50 AK-47 rifles, 25 self-loading rifles and 25 carbines. No one in this watch team will be aged above 35. "This will ensure that they are fit and agile," said an officer. The team will receive weapon and combat training to stave off a rescue attempt.

Poornima Swaminathan/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication