Kapurthala: A late-night disturbance inside Punjab’s Kapurthala Central Jail left three inmates injured after prison authorities and police launched a major operation to regain control of the premises following violent unrest among prisoners.
The trouble reportedly began when inmates housed in Block 4 became involved in a heated confrontation over an internal dispute. What initially appeared to be a minor altercation quickly escalated, with dozens of prisoners spilling out of their barracks and creating panic across the jail complex.
Officials said several inmates turned aggressive when jail staff attempted to intervene. The situation worsened as a group allegedly forced its way onto the rooftop of the block, while some prisoners set fire to clothing and other materials, creating a tense standoff inside the prison.
Police teams were rushed to the jail after authorities feared the unrest could spread to other sections. Security personnel deployed tear gas shells and used batons to push inmates back into their designated barracks and restore order.
During the operation, two prisoners sustained minor injuries during the baton charge, while another inmate was hurt after being struck by a tear gas shell. He was later shifted to a local civil hospital for treatment. Officials said his condition is stable.
Senior officers confirmed that no police personnel or jail staff suffered injuries during the incident. They also ruled out any jailbreak attempt, clarifying that all inmates remained within the prison walls and were accounted for after an immediate headcount.
Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said the disturbance remained confined to a single block and involved approximately 100 to 150 inmates. He added that officers acted cautiously to avoid unnecessary harm while ensuring the situation was brought under control.
The jail, which houses between 3,000 and 4,000 prisoners across multiple blocks, returned to normal operations after several hours of heightened security.
Authorities have launched an internal investigation to determine what triggered the clash and whether any organised planning was involved in the disruption. Security arrangements at the prison have also been strengthened to prevent further incidents.
