RAWALPINDI: Two condemned prisoners were injured critically in a clash between two groups in Adiala jail on Wednesday.

Following the cash, Inspector General of Prisons Shahid Saleem Baig ordered DIG Rawalpindi Malik Shaukat Ferooz to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.According to sources, condemned prisoners were present in their barrack and veranda when the clash occurred among Sabahat, Baitullah and Omer Zaman over making noise. Sabahat and five to six other prisoners attacked Baitullah and Omer Zaman with shaving blades and self-made cutters of table spoons.

As a result, Baitullah, a convict in a murder case registered by the Karachi Company police, and Amir Zaman, convicted in a murder case in Wah Saddar, were injured.

Jail superintendent Chaudhry Ijaz Asghar along with the security staff reached the scene and controlled the situation. The prisoners were shifted to separate barracks while the injured were taken to the DHQ hospital.

According to the hospital officials, Baitullah has suffered wounds on his face and waist while Omer Zaman sustained wounds on his neck which were caused by a sharp-edged weapon.

According to jail authorities, the injured were out of danger. However, an FIR will be registered against the accused prisoners.

Meanwhile, Punjab minister for prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chauhan took notice of the incident and sought a preliminary investigation report from the IG prisons within 24 hours.

Mr Chauhan also recommended the suspension of the deputy superintendent jail, Mazhar Panjutha, for negligence.

Earlier this month, a clash was also reported in the jail between two groups which led to the transfer of 23 convicted and under-trial prisoners to other jails and suspension of 11 jail officials, including two superintendents.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2021