Meerut:
The confiscation of a cigarette lighter caused a violent clash between inmates of a Meerut prison and security guards this morning, police said. Gunshots were heard from inside the jail and thick smoke billowed out.
Three inmates and three policemen have been reportedly rushed to a local hospital after the clash.
A team of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Forces from neighbouring police stations has been deployed. Nine fire tenders have also been rushed to the spot. However, according to sources, the situation has been brought under control.
Additional Director General of Police for prisons said shots were fired in the air to reign in the rioting inmates.
Police said it all began during a routine security drill last night, when a cigarette lighter was seized from one of the undertrials after his return from a court hearing. When the lighter was confiscated, the man assaulted a guard posted outside his cell. In the morning a group of inmates set an LPG cylinder on fire and then clashed with prison security guards.