Violence erupts twice at Muktsar jail in three days

Violence erupted second time in three days at the Muktsar district jail, leaving five inmates and two jail employees injured.

One jail employee sustained fractures in both legs and a severe head injury.

The Muktsar Sadar police have so far booked 23 inmates in connection with the first incident.

Officials said the first clash, stemming from an old rivalry, occurred on Thursday evening. The second attack took place on Saturday, when one faction allegedly assaulted jail employee Mangal Dass Singh.

Sources said tensions flared on Thursday after some inmates were transferred from the Faridkot jail. Several inmates involved in these two violence incidents were already facing serious charges, including murder and attempt to murder.

Navdeep Singh, Superintendent, Muktsar district jail, said, “Some inmates had longstanding dispute with others already lodged here. Our staff tried to intervene, but one guard suffered fractures and a severe head injury.”

As per the FIR registered on the statement of Assistant Jail Superintendent Nachhattar Singh, the Thursday’s clash began in Block 6.

A group led by Gurmeet Singh, alias Meeta, and Baljinder Singh, alias Gandhi, allegedly snatched keys from a jail employee, freed other inmates, locked the employee inside and attacked rival inmates in the de-addiction barrack using iron rods and a sharp weapon, read the FIR.

It further stated that three assistant jail superintendents – Varinder Kumar, Sukhmander Singh, and Nachhattar Singh – rushed to the scene and restored order, though Sukhmander Singh was injured.

The Muktsar Sadar police have registered a case under Sections 221, 132, 115(2), 118(1), 304(2), and 127(2) of the BNS, along with Section 45 of the Prisons Act.

Meanwhile, the jail authorities said all accused inmates have been shifted to other prisons, and clarified the de-addiction block is currently being used for regular inmates due to overcrowding.