Covid riots in jail, 4 hurt

Kolkata, March 21

Four inmates of the Dumdum Correctional Home here were injured in a clash with prison guards on Saturday over the state government's decision not to allow them to meet their families till March 31 due to the Covid outbreak, officials said.

The inmates pelted the guards with stones and set jail property on fire following which police personnel burst tear gas shells to quell the violent stir, a top prison official said. Family members of an under-trial prisoner, however, alleged that the prisoner was killed with a bullet injury.

State Correctional Administration Department Minister Ujjal Biswas, however, dismissed the claim.

"Four inmates were injured during the clash. They were admitted to the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. There are no reports of any death so far," Biswas said.

The minister said the inmates started agitating when authorities stopped them from meeting their relatives on Saturday to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. — PTI