Jailer suspended after prison takeover by inmates

Shahdol, MP, May 3 (UNI) A jailer and guard have been suspended in the wake of inmates briefly taking over the District Jail three days back.

''The disciplinary action was taken against Jailer R S Sharma and Guard Dinesh Singh,'' Prison Superintendent D K Nargawe said here today.

Earlier, Deputy Inspector-General (Jails) A K Khare inspected the prison, interacted with police and inmates.

''So far the inquiry revealed that Monday's incident was not preplanned but an offshoot of a personal dispute between inmates and a guard. Three inmates were shifted to the Central Jail, Rewa,'' the officer told mediapersons.

Inmates complained to Mr Khare that poor-quality food was served, relatives were forced to pay during visits and there was lack of medicine. On 250 inmates being housed against the maximum capacity of 112, the DIG said that the capacity of Shahdol and Budhar prisons was being enhanced.

''A sum of Rs 155 crore is being expended for developing the state's jails,'' Mr Khare added.

On Monday, inmates Narendra Shukla and Narendra Kol assaulted Guard Singh, bolted the main gate from within with other inmates and took three guards hostage. The inmates even threatened self-immolation and warned that they would blow up the prison with LPG cylinders. A case was subsequently registered against 17 inmates.

UNI