Imphal, November 17 2008: A GROUP of inmates today revolted against the transer of two convicted prisoners from the Sajiwa Central jail at Khabeisoi in Imphal East district to the Manipur Central jail, Imphal and ransacked proprieties of the Sajiwa jail leading to tension between the inmates and the security forces.

During the nearly three hours tension, the inmates did not allow the jail wardens to lock up the doors of the wards after dinner time, according to reports received from the spot.

The incident happened around 4.30 p.m.when the jail wardens came round to lock the doors of the wards.

But the group of inmates refused to let the jail wardens lock the doors.

Instead they snatched the bunch of keys and tried to break them.

They also broke some windows and other furniture.

The agitation continued till about 7.30 p.m. The reports said that two convicted prisoners who were lodged in the Sajiwa Central jail had been transferred to the Manipur Central jail, Imphal about a month back.

One of the two was said to be involved in the kidnap and murder case of Lungnila Elizabeth while the other one was involved in a case of man-slaughter.

The latter has been identified as Ahao Tangkhul (48), who was lodged in sector-5 of the jail.

He is an ex-servicemen from Ukhrul.

He served in the Assam Regiment.

He was arrested on the charge of shooting to death a superior officer.

The group of inmates is lodged in a ward in sector-VI where persons accused in the Lungnila Elizabeth murder case like James Kuki and Nando are put up, the reports said.

They demanded that Ahao Tangkhul should not be transferred from the Sajiwa jail and that he should be brought back.

As tension rose, top police officials and jail security personnel rushed to the spot and tried to calm down the agitating inmates.

Later when they were assured that the officials would try to fullfil their demand, the inmates agreed to enter their wards and allowed the jail wardens to lock the doors from outside.