Gurdaspur Jail Inmates Riot: Clash Between Prisoners and Staff, Police Fire Tear Gas

Inmates at the central jail in Punjabs Gurdaspur district rioted on Thursday, leading to a clash with prison staff. The prisoners pelted stones and engaged in vandalism, prompting police to use tear gas to control the situation. Several inmates and police officers were injured. The incident is being investigated.

In a shocking turn of events, inmates at the central jail in Punjab's Gurdaspur district engaged in a violent protest on Thursday, March 14. The incident unfolded due to deep-seated grievances among the prisoners, leading to a clash with the prison staff. The situation escalated to such an extent that police had to resort to firing tear gas shells to regain control.

Clash Erupts Over Poor Conditions

According to officials, the inmates were upset over several issues, including the conduct of the lower staff, inadequate medical treatment due to overcrowding, and stringent restrictions imposed by the jail staff. These grievances boiled over, resulting in a full-scale protest and acts of vandalism by the prisoners.

Police Reinforcements Called In

As the situation spiraled out of control, the Gurdaspur police sought reinforcements from neighboring areas like Pathankot and Batala to quell the unrest. The prisoners, in their agitated state, began pelting stones at the police personnel, further intensifying the chaos.

Tear Gas Deployed to Restore Order

In order to restore order and prevent further violence, the police resorted to using tear gas shells within the prison premises. Senior officials, including Additional Director General of Police GS Dhillon, ADGP Jails Arunpal Singh, and the senior superintendents of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Batala, rushed to the scene to assess the situation.

Inmates' Concerns Addressed

Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal clarified that initial reports suggested a clash between two groups of inmates, but it later emerged that the protest was triggered by the inmates' dissatisfaction with the prison conditions. ADGP Dhillon and the Gurdaspur DC engaged in discussions with the protesting inmates to understand their grievances.

Medical Attention Provided

In response to the inmates' concerns about medical treatment, ADGP Dhillon assured that a team of three doctors would be deputed by the Gurdaspur DC to ensure proper medical care for the injured inmates within the next three days.

Situation Under Control

The Gurdaspur DC reassured the public that the situation was under control and that necessary measures were being taken to address the inmates' concerns. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring humane conditions and adequate facilities within correctional facilities to prevent such unrest in the future.