The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has sought report from director general (DG) Prisons over clashes between forces and inmates in Srinagar central jail last week.
Two inmates were injured while three barracks were gutted ina fire after clashes between police and inmates during intervening night ofApril 4 and 5.
Taking cognizance of the incident, the Commission issuednotice to the DG prisons, asking him to file his response on next date ofhearing.
“Notice be given to director general of prisons…,” read theorder issued by the Commission. The directions were issued on a complaint filedby rights activist Ahsan Untoo, who has also urged the Commission to conduct anenquiry into the incident through its own investigation wing.
The petitioner in his petition stated two inmates wereinjured in clashes inside the jail during the intervening night of April 4 and5.
“…three barracks and a building suffered damages…gascylinder blasts inside Srinagar’s fortified Central Jail followed massiveprotests by prison inmates…,” reads the petition, adding the clashes brokeout when authorities started to move some inmates from a particular barrack.
The petitioner also mentioned that inmates, as per officialversion, “burnt a temporary shelter and tried to come to the outer cordon ofthe jail which is located in the Srinagar’s downtown area”, following whichadditional deployment was called in.
It also made a reference to official version over the issuestating: “However, the protests by the inmates continued throughout the nightand amid gas cylinder blasts three barracks and a building suffered damage…thegovernment forces also fired teargas shells and resorted to pellet firing to bringsituation to normal. In the process, two inmates were injured”.