COVID-19 clampdown sparks clash in Dum Dum Central Jail, 1 undertrial dead
Prisoners allege that neither were they being produced in court nor were they being allowed to meet their family members because of restrictions
Kolkata: Clashes broke out in the Dum Dum Central Jail on Saturday after prisoners attacked jail officials with bricks, ransacked furniture and set fire in some places alleging that neither were they being produced in court nor were they being allowed to meet their family members. One undertrial has reportedly died in the incident.
The inmates set one of the administrative blocks on fire and ransacked the office. They tried to break the boundary wall of the correctional home in a bid to escape and hurled brickbats at the police.
Many policemen and inmates were injured. Altogether 24 persons were taken to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for treatment. The police burst tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Piyush Pandey who was posted as the Additional Director General of Police, State Crime Record Bureau, has been made the ADG Correctional Services on Saturday.
The inmates alleged that the police had opened fire which was denied by Arun Gupta, Director General, Department of Correction Administration. There are about 4,000 inmates in the correctional home of which 2,000 undertrials were involved in the incident.
The correctional home is the biggest of its kind in the state. Dreaded criminals of North 24-Parganas like Bapi Rahman, Rajesh Nayak are put up in the correctional home.
Sujit Bose, Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services went to the spot. Later, Gupta said because of Coronavirus outbreak, directives have been issued by both Centre and the state government, courts are closed and family members are not being allowed inside the prisons as a precautionary measure. Hence, it will not be possible to accept their demands.
Trouble began early on Saturday morning when the inmates attacked the policemen for not allowing their relatives to see them during the interview hour from Friday evening. The inmates further alleged that they could not be put up before the court as the lawyers were not visiting them due to COVID–19. As a result, their petitions for bail or parole could not be filed and they are languishing behind the bars.
They hurled brickbats at the police personnel and ransacked the administrative office which they later set on fire. Two fire tenders went to the spot but could not reach the site after the inmates blocked the road inside the correctional home . They tried to demolish the boundary wall. Finding no other option the police burst tear gas shells to quell the mob.
Senior officials of the administration, including its Director General went to the spot. Additional reinforcements from Barrackpore City Police reached the spot.
Through public address system Sujit Bose tried to pacify the inmates and tried to convince them that due to the emergent situation they could not be put up before the court till March 31.
Police pickets have been posted and senior officers of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate are camping in the area.
