Inmates of a Pakistan jail took control of a portion of the prison on Monday after a scuffle between them and jail officials turned into a full-blown riot, which left a deputy superintendent of police and several other policemen injured, local media reported. Barracks were set on fire and gunshots could be heard from inside the Gujrat Central Jail, while inmates also allegedly pelted the policemen with stones, according to a report in Dawn.
SamaaTV reported that a total of 12 policemen were injured in the riot and that some inmates could be seen climbing onto the roof of the jail, which prompted the authorities to call reinforcements from the entire division so a jailbreak could be prevented.
Quoting Gujrat District Police Officer Ghazanfar Shah, the Dawn report said the scuffle started around 5 pm after a heated exchange of words between prisoners and jail officials.
Punjab’s newly appointed caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed senior police officers to take strict action against the rioters, according to the report.
How Did The Riot Start?
The prisoners were reportedly protesting against the jail administrator over "favourable behaviour for inmates who constantly bribe the officials", according to ARY News.
A spokesman for the Gujrat Police, however, told Dawn the exact reason for what incited the prisoners could only be ascertained after a detailed investigation.
The police had resorted to firing in the air to disperse the rioters, but could not control them, the report said.
It also said when the police attempted to negotiate with the inmates, the latter started pelting stones, which left DSP Parvez Gondal and other officers injured. They were taken to the hospital for first aid and other treatment.
The situation is now under control, DPO Shah was quoted as saying.
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