Violence and arson erupt in Kapurthala Central Jail

Violence and arson erupted in Kapurthala Central Jail late Saturday night following a minor altercation between inmates (Credits: X)

JALANDHAR: Violence and arson broke out inside Kapurthala Central Jail on Saturday night. Close to midnight, Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla told TOI that tear gas was used and things were under control. Unverified social media videos that have allegedly come out of the jail show inmates on rooftops, screaming that they were thrashed and shot at. They claim one inmate has suffered a bullet injury but there was no confirmation that any firearm was used to quell the rioters. It is learnt that trouble started in barracks No. 4 late evening over a minor altercation between some inmates, which quickly escalated into violence. Smoke is seen in some of the purported prison videos. The inmates are heard claiming that they were badly thrashed by jail staff. According to news agency PTI, inmates vandalised jail property, broke a wall of barrack number four and attempted to set a section of the prison on fire.

Ambulances parked outside Kapurthala jail

Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora and other officials rushed to the jail with reinforcements. Ambulances were parked outside the prison. DIG Singla, who also rushed to the spot, said tear gas shells were used by the authorities to control the rioting prisoners and one inmate was injured as he was hit by some splinter. He said that prisoners had a fight among themselves and when jail authorities intervened they turned against them. The DIG said that during the clash around 40-50 inmates went to the rooftops and some of them set some clothes on fire.