Residents Near Patiala Central Jail Suffer Network Disruptions Due to “V-Kavach” Jammers

• Apr 15, 2025

The recent installation of “V-Kavach” mobile jammers at Patiala Central Jail has caused significant inconvenience to residents in the surrounding areas. Locals have reported frequent mobile call drops, poor internet connectivity, and issues with LAN-based WiFi services — especially in areas like Police Lines, Phulkian Enclave, and near Bhadson Road.

This marks the second such installation in Punjab, following a similar move at Bathinda jail. According to residents and officials, the situation has worsened over the past week, disrupting routine communication and official work. "We often struggle to connect during peak hours, and digital transactions fail due to missing OTPs," said an employee from the Mini Secretariat.

Sources suggest that the Prison Department may have increased the jammers' signal strength, impacting areas well beyond the jail's 100-meter expected range. In some cases, residents over a kilometer away have reported service disruptions.

Patiala Jail Superintendent Varun Sharma acknowledged the problem, stating that BSNL officials flagged the issue last week. He mentioned the jammers are still in the testing phase and the installation company will soon conduct a survey to assess the impact.

Although the jammers aim to prevent inmates from accessing mobile networks, their unintended reach is affecting the daily lives of local residents and raising concerns among service providers.