Muktsar, September 21: Violence broke out twice in three days at Muktsar district jail, leaving five inmates and two employees injured, officials said Sunday. One jail guard suffered fractures in both legs along with a serious head injury.
Police said 23 inmates have been booked so far in connection with the first clash, which erupted Thursday evening following an old rivalry. The second incident occurred Saturday when a group of prisoners allegedly attacked jail employee Mangal Dass Singh.
Navdeep Singh, Superintendent of Muktsar jail, said the violence was linked to longstanding disputes between inmates. “Our staff tried to intervene, but one guard suffered fractures and a severe head injury,” he said.
According to an FIR filed on the statement of Assistant Jail Superintendent Nachhattar Singh, Thursday’s clash began in Block 6. A group of inmates led by Gurmeet Singh, alias Meeta, and Baljinder Singh, alias Gandhi, allegedly snatched keys from a jail staffer, freed other prisoners, and locked the employee inside. The group then attacked rival inmates in the de-addiction barrack with iron rods and a sharp weapon, the FIR stated.
The document also noted that three assistant jail superintendents — Varinder Kumar, Sukhmander Singh and Nachhattar Singh — rushed to control the situation. Sukhmander Singh was injured while restoring order.
Sources said tensions escalated after inmates were transferred from Faridkot jail earlier in the week. Many of those involved in the clashes are already facing serious charges, including murder and attempt to murder.
