8 inmates, prison officials injured after scuffle in Patna Beur Central Jail

Eight people, including inmates and prison officials, were injured in a scuffle that broke out at Patna Beur Central Jail on Sunday (July 16), after some prisoners led by convicted former MLA Anant Singh protested over their ward being “deliberately kept open”.

The former Mokama MLA alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to murder him inside the jail premises.

Patna district magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh has ordered an inquiry into the matter and suspended a prison official following the incident. He said that local police also lodged an FIR against some inmates for creating a ruckus inside the jail premises. “The incident took place around 7.30 am on Sunday when around 40 inmates led by Anant Singh started protesting inside the prison, alleging that their ward was deliberately kept open the previous night,” said the district magistrate.

“Prison authorities tried to placate the protesting inmates, but when they did not budge, additional forces were sent to the prison. The situation was brought under control and most of the protesting inmates were sent back to their cells. However, Anant Singh and 10 other inmates continued protesting. After that, a scuffle broke out with the jail officials and mild force was used. Some inmates were shifted to other cells,” he added.

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All the injured inmates and jail officials are out of danger, he said. It is, however, not yet clear whether Anant Singh was among those injured. “I have ordered an inquiry into the incident and sought a report within 24 hours. A prison official has also been suspended,” he said.

Singh also said that the local police have lodged an FIR against some inmates for creating a ruckus inside the jail premises. A statement issued by the district administration said that Anant Singh was alleging that a conspiracy was being hatched to kill him inside the prison.

The former MLA is lodged in the Beur Central Prison, after an MP-MLA court in Patna last year sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment in connection with a case dating back to 2015, when police recovered several incriminating materials including six rifle magazines from his official residence. His wife Neelam Devi is currently the RJD MLA from Mokama.

(With agency inputs)