39 prisoners hurt in Sajiwa jail skirmishes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24: Tension brewing inside the prison complex of the Sajiwa Jail for the past few days suddenly erupted into a fierce clash this afternoon resulting in injury of varying degree to atleast 39 inmates.

The injured, who were brought to Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital included 12 PULF cadres, followed by nine PREPAK men, seven KYKL, six undertrial prisoners, two KCP activists and one each belonging to the UNLF, PLA and KRA (U).

Security personnel at the Sajiwa Jail gate and inmates injured in the Sajiwa Jail clash being treated at JN Hospital, Porompat.

Of the injured, condition of one Loya of the PREPAK is stated to be critical.

As report of the skirmishes spread newspersons rushed to the detention centre where Jail officials declined to comment what triggered the clash which, according to an informed source, witnessed the inmates use iron bars, bottles, bricks, molotov-cocktail (petrol bomb) and other blunt weapons.

During an interaction with a team of media persons at JN Hospital one Laishram Korou alias Homen (28) s/o Beikam recounted that on May 21 an inmate misbehaved with one of two female visitors and was intercepted by other infuriated prisoners.

In the aftermath of the said incident, a joint meeting of inmates resolved to bar interview/contact of the particular individual for 15 days but decision to prohibit contact was defied as reports sneaked in that formalities for visiting the accused inmate had been processed leading to another hurriedly convened meeting this morning.

Even though heated and abusive languages were exchanged during the meeting an understanding was arrived at and the inmates returned to their respective cells (Sectors), continued the injured Korou who contended that a few minutes later around 100 imprisoned underground cadres belonging to different outfits stormed towards the Sector I block that houses activists of the KYKL, UNLF, PULF (MI Khan), KCP (GS) and the PREPAK.

The nearly 100-strong group using all available weapons resorted to smashing and setting ablaze jail articles like furniture, beds, chairs etc by lobbing the petrol bombs apart from targeting a particular group of prisoners lodged in Sector I.A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said security manning the jail that house over 400 inmates are taking sharp vigil to control the situation.

He said a high level inquiry might be initiated very soon to establish circumstances leading to the incident particularly the lapses, if any, on the part of security to control the sudden riot.

Senior officials of state police including the Director General (Prisons) AK Parashar, Inspector General of Police (L&O-1) Karnajit and SP (IE) Th Radheshyam, besides the 109 CRPF rushing additional forces to control the situation.

Moreover, a team of Manipur Fire Service also arrived at the scene and was seen dousing the flame for nearly an hour.

Heingang police have registered an FIR case on the matter and investigation is on.

"So far we have gathered the names of 39 persons injured in the riot", an officer of Heingang police station, said.