Punjab: 3 Injured After Ruckus In Kapurthala Jail As Police Use Teargas, Cane Charge

CHANDIGARH, May 24: Three inmates were injured after police used teargas shells and resorted to cane charge to control a clash inside Kapurthala jail in Punjab, officials said on Sunday.

The incident took place late Saturday night after inmates lodged in Block 4 reportedly clashed over an issue yet to be confirmed.

Police said jail authorities initially tried to intervene and stop the fighting, but some inmates allegedly attempted to scuffle with officials.

During the unrest, several inmates came out of the barracks, climbed onto the rooftop and some even set clothes on fire, officials said.

Heavy police deployment was made inside the jail premises following the incident.

“Police used tear gas shells and resorted to cane charge to control the situation,” a senior officer said.

According to police, two inmates sustained injuries during the cane charge while another was injured after being hit by a teargas shell.

Officials said no police personnel or jail staff were injured in the incident.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla said the situation was completely under control and all inmates had returned to their barracks.

“All inmates have been counted,” he said, while denying any damage to jail property.

Senior officers, including DIG Naveen Singla and Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora, rushed to the jail after receiving information about the disturbance.

Videos purportedly from inside the jail showing commotion later surfaced on social media, with some inmates alleging use of force by jail authorities.

There are around 4,000 inmates lodged in Kapurthala jail.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the AAP government over the incident, alleging that Punjab jails had turned into “battlegrounds for criminals”. (Agencies)