Date:26/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/26/stories/2007062650770900.htm

National

Constable, inmate killed in jail brawl

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: A jail constable and an inmate were killed and several others injured in a free for all between undertrials and the staff of the Sultanpur district jail in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. The condition of another constable, injured, is critical.

The violence erupted when the Sultanpur jail staff led by superintendent R.K. Mishra seized some mobile phones hidden near a hand pump near barrack number 12.

State Home Secretary Javeed Ahmed told newspersons that, in what appeared a pre-determined move, around 11.45 a.m. some inmates scuffled with the jail staff. The jail superintendent was injured.

The inmates then opened the locks of barrack numbers 14, 2 and 8 to allow the other prisoners to come out. They ransacked the kitchen and set three LPG cylinders afire at the entrance of the jail to prevent security personnel from coming in.

Mr. Ahmed said the clashes continued till about 12.40 p.m. before fire brigade personnel and the police entered the jail and brought the situation under control. He said two jail constables, Brij Mani Dubey and Chandra Bhan Singh, and a prisoner, Munna Singh, who was trying to pacify the violent inmates, had their heads smashed with bricks and stones thrown by the prisoners.