GILGIT, May 23: Prisoners in the district jail Gilgit turned violent on Wednesday and set barracks on fire following acquittal of two under-trial prisoners charged in two high profile murder cases.

But due to timely action of the fire brigade staff, the fire was put out, avoiding extensive damage to the building.

Police said after getting wind of the disturbance they rushed a contingent to the jail to overcome the situation.

Administration officials said two groups of prisoners started chanting slogans and set the building on fire after the acquittal of two accused in two murder cases.

“The law enforcement agencies fired tear shells to disperse the prisoners,” District Magistrate Tariq Arqam told Dawn, adding none was injured in the incident. He said rising smoke from the jail building was seen far and wide panicking the people. He said cases were registered against the prisoners.

Police officials said the two acquitted prisoners were still facing charges of terrorism in other cases.

Meanwhile, to avoid further disturbance dozens of prisoners were again shifted to sub-jail from where they had been brought a couple of weeks before.