GUJRAT: At least five people, including three prisoners and two policemen, were injured in a scuffle followed by a violent protest by the inmates at jail.

However local authorities told Dawn that the situation was almost under control after negotiations.

Police earlier resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the prisoners as contingents besieged the jail. Sources said a group of prisoners started protest against the alleged torture.

Adding they said the ban on prisoners meeting with visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic had also been one of the reasons behind the protest, besides the poor quality of food.

The protesters and jail police also scuffled after which protesters gathered at the roof of jail building.

Gujrat DPO Syed Touseef Haider and DC Dr Khurram Shahzad also reached the jail and assisted the [jail] administration in efforts to bring normalcy.

Later on, the IG and deputy inspector general of prisons also arrived at Gujrat jail.

Gujrat DPO told Dawn the situation was under control and police contingents were deployed all around the jail premises. He said four people were wounded as a result of scuffle between the jail police and prisoners and the injured had been shifted to the hospital.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020