Police on Sunday recovered iron rods, sticks and mobile phones from inmates who went on a rampage inside Kapurthala jail after a clash, officials said. Tear gas shells were fired and a cane charge was carried out by the police to bring the situation under control.
Two inmates were injured during the clash, while another inmate was hurt after being hit by a tear gas shell, police said. No police personnel or jail staff were injured in the incident. Police also said an FIR will be registered in the case.
The incident took place late Saturday night when inmates in Block-4 of Kapurthala Central Jail clashed over an issue, officials said. Jail authorities tried to step in and stop the fight, a senior police officer said. However, the inmates allegedly tried to manhandle and attack the staff.
Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said a heavy police force was deployed after jail authorities reported the clash inside the prison. He also said some inmates set an object on fire outside their barracks. He clarified that there was no jailbreak and no inmate escaped the jail premises.
“It was a localised incident involving inmates of Block-4 who were fighting,” the SSP said while speaking to mediapersons in Kapurthala. He added that all inmates involved were hardened criminals facing four or more criminal cases. Some inmates came out of their barracks and even reached the rooftop area.
The SSP said inmates broke a gate and iron grill to access the rooftop of the barracks.
Police later used force and brought all inmates back to their barracks, officials said. “Police used tear gas shells and also carried out a cane charge to control the situation,” another officer said.
The SSP said there may have been rivalry between inmates that led to the fight. When asked how inmates got iron rods and sticks, the SSP said they broke iron grills and used them as weapons. He also said the inmates are hardened criminals facing serious charges and managed to use parts of the broken grils. On videos circulating on social media, the SSP said it is under investigation how mobile phones were used despite jammers being installed. He added that mobile phones have been seized and will be sent for technical analysis.
After registering an FIR, police said they will investigate the matter in detail. The SSP rejected allegations that jail staff had beaten inmates. He also said all inmates have been accounted for and there was no missing prisoner.
A detailed search operation was conducted in Block-4 on Sunday, during which iron rods, sticks and other items were recovered, the SSP said. Some mobile phones were also seized and will be analysed to find out how they were used inside the jail.
When asked about negligence, the SSP said there was no lapse on the part of jail authorities. He said officials responded quickly and controlled the situation. Police said action will be taken against inmates involved in the violence and those found using mobile phones inside the jail.
On whether inmates will be shifted, the SSP said jail authorities are considering the option. Senior police officers, including DIG (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla, Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora, and other officials, reached the jail after receiving information.
Videos from inside the jail have also surfaced on social media showing chaos and inmates making allegations against jail staff. Some inmates were seen showing injuries in the clips. There are nearly 4,000 inmates lodged in Kapurthala jail.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia slammed the AAP government over the incident. He said Punjab’s jails have become unsafe under the current government.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Randhawa also criticised the government, saying the incident shows a serious breakdown of law and order in Punjab. He said that if even high-security jails are turning into battlegrounds, it raises serious concerns for public safety. He also urged the Chief Minister to accept responsibility and ensure better governance.
Also read: Violent clashes erupt in Kapurthala jail, facilities set on fire
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