DC Srinagar orders probe, holds deliberations with prisoners, Govt deptts to assess damage caused to property
Srinagar: Two inmates were injured in overnight clashes inside the highly fortified Central Jail Srinagar while as jail infrastructure was torched by the angry prisoners after they refused to shift to other barracks on the directions of jail authorities, officials said on Friday.
The authorities maintained that the inmates were taken out to carry out repair work inside a barrack. The inmates burnt a temporary shelter and tried to come to the outer cordon of the jail located in the downtown area of the city, the police said.
Reports said a gas cylinder explosion also took place in the ensuing violence. Fire tenders were rushed to douse the flames. The security was been beefed up and more personnel called in to control the situation. Around 480 people are in prison here.
The situation, according to the authorities, was under control in the morning even though prisoners were raising slogans against the jail administration.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Munir Khan said that the situation was brought under control and that only a two inmates’ sustained injuries one in the eye.
“The situation is under control now fully,” he said. After an overnight violence by inmates inflicting serious damages to infrastructure, the situation at the Srinagar Central Jail was Friday brought under control.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who has been tasked with conducting probe into the incident had detailed deliberations with representatives of inmates discussing a host of issues raised by the latter.
DIG Central Kashmir, DIG CRPF, SSP Srinagar and other senior officers were also part of the visiting team holding deliberations. The representatives of inmates were asked to immediately stop the violence being assured that a thorough probe will be conducted into the incident and causes leading to it. The situation was brought under control and the inmates moved back into the barracks soon after the deliberations.
The incident occurred Thursday evening after some 400 inmates from 10 barracks gathered and mob-attacked the Jail premises damaging property including vital infrastructure and surveillance equipment in an attempt to break open the Jail gates.
The situation turned volatile after the inmates used inflammables including LPG cylinders from the common mess triggering four blasts near the gate and wall corners to attack and damage the security grid of the jail in an attempt to escape.
Massive stone-pelting making use of construction material dumped inside the jail for ongoing work was also restored to by the inmates. A team of officers comprising Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Police Officer and SHOs was rushed to the Jail immediately after receipt of information from the Jail Superintendent at 9 am. The DC along with SSP Police Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal also rushed to the spot and reviewed the situation at 10:30 am.
Early Friday morning, about one dozen teams comprising police personnel, CRPF component, jail staff and magistrates were constituted to go inside the jail premises in efforts to contain the situation. In view of massive damages to the government property, an inter-departmental team comprising PWD, PHE and PDD has been deputed by the district administration for loss assessment and restoration work.
Sequel of events leading to this incident is being ascertained as part of the probe initiated into the incident. Pictures being circulated in the social media indicating an alleged desecration inside the jail are also being verified as part of the probe. Meanwhile, the Police have lodged an FIR into the incident,” the statement issued an official spokesman said.
