Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 5: At least two inmates of Central Jail Srinagar were injured and three barracks and a building suffered damages amid multiple gas cylinder blasts inside highly fortified Jail following massive protests by inmates last night.
Authorities imposed restrictions in old city parts here and suspended mobile internet services in entire Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam districts following the incident. However, the services were resumed in the evening after tension was defused.
The tension that led to protests inside the Jail started last evening when authorities started shifting some inmates from a particular barrack within the jail for conducting renovations and constructions inside the jail. There was hue and cry as the inmates felt that they are being moved outside the State.
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Around 400 inmates from 10 barracks gathered and they attacked the jail premises damaging property including vital infrastructure and surveillance equipment.
The situation turned volatile after the inmates used inflammables including LPG cylinders from the common mess triggering four blasts near the gate and wall corners.
The inmates resorted to massive stone-pelting by using the construction material dumped inside the jail for ongoing work.
Senior police officers including DIG and SSP Srinagar besides Deputy Commissioner Srinagar reached the spot and tried to control the situation.
The authorities also rushed additional companies of the CRPF to the jail to bring the situation under control. However, the protests by the inmates continued throughout the night amid gas cylinder blasts and three barracks and a building suffered damage.
The fire was brought under the control but hue and cry by the inmates continued. The CCTV cameras were also damaged. Security forces fired teargas and pellets to bring the situation under control. Two inmates were injured in the clashes.
In the morning, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who was tasked to conduct probe into the incident had detailed deliberations with representatives of inmates discussing a host of issues raised by the latter.
DIG Central Kashmir, DIG CRPF, SSP Srinagar and other senior officers were also part of the visiting team holding deliberations.
The representatives of inmates were asked to immediately stop the violence being assured that a thorough probe will be conducted into the incident and causes leading to it.
The situation was brought under control and the inmates moved back into the barracks soon after the deliberations.
Authorities disallowed Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta here and clamped strict restrictions in various parts of downtown as a precautionary measure. Security forces erected barricades at several places and movement of people and vehicles were not allowed in the areas.
Authorities also put under house arrest Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his residence at Nageen.
The authorities snapped the internet speed across Srinagar and also reduced the speed in South Kashmir districts of Kulgam and Anantnag.
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