Riots in Faisalabad jail leave 2 dead, 50 injured (Update)

FAISALABAD: At least two prisoners died and 50 others, four among them seriously, were injured as the result of clashes between police and the prisoners, which erupted after police subjected prisoners to severe torture in order to pressurize them, while the jail superintendent have asked for more police contingent from the different police stations of the city.

According to details, the newly appointed jail superintendent Babar Waraich had started subjecting prisoners to torture in order to pressurize them, upon which prisoners started protest against the torture meted out prisoner sentenced to death.

However, according to a private TV channel the prisoners of Faisalabad central jail observed protest against the alleged torture by the jail superintendent due to which a clash occurred between police and prisoners.

Boota Gul, 11 years old prisoner in the prison said that situation was normal before the appointment of the new superintendent but in order to pressurize the prisoners, he subjected them to severe torture.

He said that initially the police tried to control the riot through torture but failed because the prisoners also started counter actions and started pelting police with stones.

He said that after stiff resistance by prisoners, the jail administration called reserve police and Elite police officials besides contingent of police from four police stations of the City.

Boota said that police cordoned off the jail premises and started tear gas and firing.

He said that police personnel open fire on the prisoners due to which several got injured, and were not given any first aid.

He said that new superintendent was torturing the prisoners since morning.

According to SP Sarfaraz Falki, one prisoner was seriously injured, while other sources said that two prisoners died on the spot and more than 50 injured and they are not being provided medical aid.

Director General prison has ordered immediate probe into the incident but sporadic sounds of firing after breaks were heard for some time.

According to reliable sources, 450 shells were used to tear gas, while 800 more were provided from the police stores.

Sources said that during night police are expected to conduct ’clear and clean’ operation in the prison.

The Provincial minister for jails Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor has tried to intervene in the issue, but without success so far.