Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 15: An incident of assault and obstruction of duty was reported at the Mangaluru district jail when undertrial prisoners attacked staff members conducting an inspection. Jail authorities have filed a complaint at Barke police station regarding the incident.

The staff initiated a search on Monday night suspecting the presence of prohibited items in the cells. As they attempted to inspect the A Block, undertrial prisoners reportedly threatened and obstructed them from entering. The jail currently segregates inmates along communal lines, with A Block housing Muslim prisoners and B Block housing Hindu prisoners.

The altercation occurred after the jail staff, under the leadership of jail superintendent M H Ashekan, began their inspection around 7:30 pm, following the routine dinner service. Suspecting the presence of banned substances such as mobile phones and drugs like cannabis, the team prepared to conduct a detailed search. However, inmates in A Block resisted by using utensils and other objects to attack, besides hurling abuses and issuing threats.

The staff refrained from further action to avoid escalation and filed a police complaint instead. A detailed report has been submitted at Barke police station, naming all A Block prisoners. Investigations are ongoing to address the safety of jail staff and reinforce discipline within the prison.