Those whose cases have been recommended for a transfer are reportedly bringing into play their bureaucratic connections to be allowed to stay here.

Sources said one of the smugglers, identified as Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar who had been lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail for five years, was transferred out to Patiala, but he managed to return. It was learnt that another such accused is also making efforts to come back.

These smugglers had been lodged in the Central Jail for several years and were transferred out a few months ago, when they started operating a strong mafia from behind bars, allegedly in the connivance with the jail staff.

Sources said Kumar, who had spent most of his time in the hospital on pretext of one ailment or the other, was transferred out to Patiala jail twice, but was sent back recently on the grounds that his ailment could not be treated in the hospital there. "Instead of sending him back to a place with better medical facilities, he was sent here," said a source.

Lack of monitoring facilities as close circuit TVs, surveillance cameras and other gadgets is another reason why many prefer to stay here. Besides, despite the jail authorities urging the government to transfer staff hailing from Amritsar to other prisons, nothing has so far been done.

The Amritsar jail, at present, has over 500 inmates involved in cases of drug dealing and liquor peddling who are still active as the demand of their stuff is high in the border belt. Sources said many inmates had been here for several years and they had developed strong connections with the jail staff, a majority of whom hailed from their homeland.

Jail Superintendent S P Singh confirmed that Ramesh Kumar had returned to Amritsar Central Jail. He admitted that as the monitoring facilities were lacking, it was hard to keep an eye on the inmates' activities. Also admitting to the connivance of staff, Singh said this problem was prevalent in other prisons too.