Listen To This Post
CHANDIGARH: Tension gripped Kapurthala Central Jail late Saturday night after a violent clash among inmates escalated into large-scale unrest, forcing police and jail authorities to use tear gas shells and resort to a cane charge to bring the situation under control.
Officials said around 100 to 150 inmates allegedly went on a rampage following a clash inside one of the prison blocks, setting parts of the jail on fire, climbing rooftops and confronting jail staff.
The clash among inmates escalated into violence
According to police officials, the disturbance began when inmates lodged in Block No. 4 reportedly got involved in a dispute over an issue that is still under investigation.
Jail authorities initially attempted to intervene and prevent the clash from escalating. However, inmates allegedly turned aggressive and tried to scuffle with prison officials.
A senior police officer said several inmates subsequently came out of their barracks and created chaos inside the jail premises.
Some prisoners climbed onto rooftops, while others allegedly set clothes and portions of Barrack No. 4 on fire.
Heavy police deployment inside the jail
Following the unrest, a heavy police force was rushed to the jail complex to contain the situation.
Officials said police personnel used tear gas shells and conducted a cane-charge after repeated attempts to calm the inmates failed.
“Police used tear gas shells and resorted to a cane-charge to control the situation,” an officer said.
During the operation, two inmates reportedly sustained injuries during the cane-charge, while another prisoner was injured after being hit by a tear gas shell.
DIG says inmates indulged in hooliganism
Naveen Singla confirmed the incident and said the unrest was confined to one block of the jail.
“A fight broke out among inmates of the Kapurthala jail, following which around 100 to 150 prisoners came out of their barracks, indulged in hooliganism and set fire to Barrack No. 4. Some of them also climbed onto the roofs,” the DIG told reporters.
He said police personnel swung into action immediately and used grenades and tear gas shells to push the inmates back into their barracks.
“The situation is now under control,” he added.
One inmate hospitalised
Officials said one inmate who sustained injuries due to tear gas exposure was shifted to the civil hospital for treatment.
Police clarified that no jail staff or security personnel suffered injuries during the operation.
Authorities also stressed that no prisoner escaped from the jail during the incident.
“All inmates have been counted and remain inside the jail premises,” officials said.
Authorities acted cautiously to avoid casualties
Responding to questions regarding the time taken to control the unrest fully, DIG Naveen Singla said the police had proceeded carefully to avoid serious injuries to security personnel as well as inmates.
The DIG further clarified that the violence remained localised and did not spread to the entire prison complex.
Jail houses 3,000–4,000 inmates
Officials said the Kapurthala jail has around 10 to 12 blocks and houses between 3,000 and 4,000 inmates.
The incident has once again drawn attention to overcrowding, security challenges and rising tensions inside Punjab prisons.
Authorities are now investigating the exact trigger behind the clash and are expected to identify inmates allegedly involved in vandalism, arson and violence inside the jail premises. Additional security measures have reportedly been implemented to prevent further unrest.
