FAISALABAD, Jan 29: Authorities withdrew four officials of the central jail on Monday under pressure from prisoners, who went on a hunger strike against them. The authorities had suspended central jail superintendent Saeed Gondal, deputy superintendent Ansar, assistant superintendent Aamar Ahmad and eight constables three day ago following the recovery of a cell phone from a prisoner and appointed deputy superintendent Ayub acting superintendent.

Some prisoners expressed reservations about Ayub who had allegedly misbehaved with them. The situation aggravated when Ayub continued with his behaviour. The prisoners went on a hunger strike and the district administration had to intervene. DIG operations Aslam Tareen and DCO Suleman had visited the jail to settle the issue.

Reportedly, prisoners told them that Saeed Gondal was a man of principle and some jail officials had trapped him. They told them they would continue with their protest till the reinstatement of Gondal and removal of Ayub and his colleagues.

The two-member committee assured the protesters that they would look into the matter.

The sources said following a probe the authorities withdrew Ayub, factory munshi Riaz, chief warden Zafar and head warden Amin from the central jail.

At present, the central jail has only two deputy superintendents, as two have been suspended and one has been withdrawn.