Inmates at Central
Jail, Srinagar mob-attacked the Jail premises last evening damaging property
worth several lakhs including vital infrastructure and surveillance
equipment while attempting to break-open
the jail gates.The incident was reported at 2100 Hrs last evening when on
receipt of information from the Superintendent Central Jail a team of officers including Sub-Divisional Magistrate,
Sub-Divisional Police Officer and SHOs was rushed to spot by the authorities in
Srinagar.The situation turned volatile as the inmates used inflammables to attack and damage the
security grid of the central jail. More than 400 inmates from 10 barracks in
the central area of jail broke open the internal gates and gathered to carry out damage to the
entry/exit points in an attempt to escape. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid
Iqbal Choudhary and Sr Superintendent of Police Haseeb Mughal rushed to the spot and reviewed the
situation at 2230Hrs .The inmates gathered LPG cylinders from the common mess
and triggered 4 blasts near the gate and corners of walls in an apparent attempt to break the
security grid and escape.Massive stone pelting was resorted to as the
construction material dumped inside jail for ongoing works was grabbed and used by the inmates to target the
officers, security personnel and vehicles outside. Fire tenders were pressed
into action to contain the fire and disperse crowd.The violent attacks from inside continued for the
whole night while senior officers camped there to contain the situation. Despite
announcements made on the loudspeakers the
inmates didn’t relent.
Early morning, the
authorities constituted a dozen odd teams to move inside which included police
personnel, CRPF component, jail staff and magistrates. However after
several hours of intervention the
violent mob didn’t return to barracks and massive damage was inflicted to the
infrastructure.Later, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary held detailed deliberations with
the representatives of inmates over a host of issues, in presence of DIG
Central Kashmir, DIG CRPF, SSP Srinagar and other senior officers.The inmates were given to understand
that no issues could be heard and redressed in backdrop of such a massive
violence and attacks which had the potential of
leading to fatalities, and conducive atmosphere was required to
ascertain the factors involved in violence of this exceptional nature. The DC
asked the inmates to move to into
barracks.After detailed deliberations the inmates were moved to barracks
and discussion held with all concerned. In view of massive damages to
Government property an inter- departmental team comprised of PWD, PHE and PDD
was deputed by the district administration for loss assessment and restoration
work.The incident was triggered when the
inmates resisted the move of jail administration for restoration of
barracks which have been damaged over a period of time.A spokesperson of the
administration stated that some pictures
were being circulated in social media indicating an alleged desecration inside
central jail however fact of the matter remains that during entire night no
security personnel, or officials, moved
inside the barrack premises and all the issues raised by the inmates are being
ascertained however violence and mob-attack of such a level cannot be condoned.A probe is being conducted into
the matter by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar who interacted with inmates at
Central Jail also inspected the damages done to Jail infrastructure, apart from ascertain the
sequel of events leading to this incident.Meanwhile, police have lodged an FIR
into the incident. The Government is further examining the matter. (CNS)