The Hindu : Front Page : Jammu jail inmates attack policemen

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Monday, Dec 18, 2006
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Jammu jail inmates attack policemen

Luv Puri

Six security men injured in stone-throwing; the prisoners were led by Pakistani nationals

— Photo: PTI

VENTING THEIR IRE: Inmates of the Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu protesting on Sunday against the steps taken by the police to strengthen the security on the premises.

Jammu: Six policemen in the high-security Kot Bhalwal jail here were injured when a group of prisoners, including Pakistani nationals, pelted stones at them on Sunday.

Tension mounted at the jail in the periphery of the city on Saturday night as over 300 militants, including 40 foreign nationals, refused to go into the lock-up in protest against the new steps taken by jail authorities to strengthen the security apparatus within the premises. As attempts by the jail officials to convince the prisoners failed, police from outside had to be called to control the situation.

Director-General (Prisons) M.K. Mohanty told The Hindu that at 7 a.m. on Sunday the prisoners, led by Pakistan nationals, started pelting stones at the policemen, injuring six of them. "However, after three hours we were able to control the situation by firing tear-gas shells," he said.

The Kot Bhalwal jail is one of the most guarded complex of the country.The cause of Sunday's incident seemed to be the pro-active steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir police officials. In October, the use of mobile phones and SIM cards was banned in the jail as several persons, on trail on the charge of militancy, were seen using them.

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