2 inmates injured, barracks burnt amid clashes in Srinagar’s central jail

Authorities impose restrictions, internet speed reduced in 3 Kashmir districts

Srinagar, April 5: At least two inmates were reportedly injured and at least three barracks and a building suffered damages amid number of “gas cylinder blasts” inside Srinagar’s fortified central jail following massive protests by prison inmates, official sources said on Friday.

The authorities have imposed restrictions in old city parts here and reduced internet speed in entire Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

They said late Thursday evening when authorities started to move some jail inmates from a particular barrack for their shifting “within the jail”, there was hue and cry as the inmates felt that they are being moved outside the state.

“The particular barrack along with some other barracks were to be renovated and the jail inmates were being shifted to other barracks till the renovation would have been completed. However, there was suddenly a hue and cry and rumours that the inmates were being shifted out of the Kashmir Valley,” they said.

The inmates, he said, burnt a temporary shelter and tried to come to the outer cordon of the jail which is located in the Srinagar’s downtown area of the city, they said.

Senior police officers including DIG, 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, they said. However, the protests by the inmates continued throughout the night amid gas cylinder blasts, three barracks and a building suffered damage. The fire has been brought under the control but “hue and cry” by the inmates continued. CCTV cameras have also been damaged. The government forces also fired teargas shells and resorted to pellet firing to bring the situation to normal. In the process, they said, two inmates have been injured.

Meanwhile, authorities have imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar’s Old city including Nowhatta which houses the historic Jamia Masjid.

Reports said that barricades have been erected at several places and people are not being allowed to move.

The authorities also reduced the internet speed across the summer capital of the state and also with south Kashmir districts of Kulgam and Anantnag. (GNS)