PATNA, Nov. 30 -- Acting on the directives of Bihar's new home minister Samrat Choudhary, local administration and district police swung into action and conducted raids in separate jails in eight districts of Bihar on Saturday. However, raiding police parties didn't say they found any objectionable items like mobile phones, etc. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the prison department got information that history-sheeters lodged in the jail extorted protection money from under-trials who were financially well-off and the raids in jails followed to curb these activities. The raids were conducted under the supervision of the respective District SPs and DMs. During this search, police from several police stations, led by the SP East, SP Central, and ADM, were also present. During the search, the prison security system was also closely reviewed to ensure that no objectionable items could reach inside. "Family members or relatives of the jail inmates come to meet them occasionally. The history-sheeters threaten the powerless inmates and demand protection money. The inmates are asked to tell their family members to transfer money via pay apps on a phone number linked to a bank account. Once the money is paid by app, the hardened criminals don't bother the inmate," said an official while sharing details of the raids and why such raids were warranted all of a sudden. Reports said that one of the biggest operations was carried out at high-security Beur Central Jail, where Mokama MLA and strongman Anant Singh is lodged. A large number of police teams - led by the City SP (East), City SP (Central), and the Additional District Magistrate - launched a sweeping search at around 5 am. All inmates were confined to their wards as officers combed the premises. No entry was allowed during the raid, which was conducted under heavy security. During the raid, the main gate of the prison was closed. The intensified crackdown comes amid suspicions that several recent crimes - including murders, robberies, and dacoities in Patna and surrounding districts - may have links to criminal networks operating from inside Beur Jail. SSP Kartikeya K Sharma stated that this was a routine raid. No objectionable items were found. At 5 am, police from half a dozen police stations, led by the City SP East, City SP Central, and ADM, had arrived at Beur Jail. Similar raids were also reported from other districts--Purnia, Begusarai, Motihari, Munger, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Gaya including the sub-jail in Barh. All prison wards were thoroughly searched. Inmates were frisked, staff members were questioned, and everything, from the kitchen where food is prepared to the bathrooms, was checked. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary had stated soon after taking charge that strictness in jails would be increased. He had ordered an investigation into how mobile phones enter prisons and said that food from outside would no longer be allowed into the jail....