JAMMU, Dec 17: Police fired teargas at prisoners, including militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, after inmates pelted officials with stones in a protest over discipline, police said on Sunday.

Nearly 350 inmates of the heavily-guarded central jail near Jammu climbed on rooftops armed with iron rods.

“The restive prisoners have come out of their barracks and refuse to climb down,” said Jammu police chief.

Jail officials claimed that among those in the prison are nearly 40 Pakistani militants. More than 500 policemen in anti-riot gear were sent to the jail to restore order.

Jail authorities said inmates had been complaining of new stricter rules. The rules, including on holding meetings with outsiders, were toughened after police recovered mobile telephones from cells.

Meanwhile, various separatist leaders called for a one-day strike to protest “police action against innocent detainees.—AFP