4 UTPs Critically Injured As Inmates Of Odisha’s Jharpada Jail Clash, 1 Loses Vision In One Eye

Bhubaneswar: Four under-trial prisoners (UTPs) of Odisha capital’s Jharapada Jail reportedly sustained critical injuries with one having lost vision in one eye in an alleged clash between two inmate groups.

According to sources, the injured have been admitted to the Capital Hospital after primary treatment at the jail hospital. They were taken to the Capital Hospital by a court van after the incident late on Monday.

One of the inmates has reportedly lost vision in one eye after being attacked by a rival group.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prison, Cuttack Gariba Sahu, who visited the jail on Tuesday, told media that a complaint will be lodged in Laxmisagar police station following which further probe will be done.

Though the exact cause of the clash is not known yet, it is suspected that it could be over use of brown sugar and other drugs.

Sources said that on March 1, senior officials visiting the Jharpada jail had found large amounts of intoxicants in the jail premises. Two days later, on March 3, an inmate was admitted to Capital Hospital after he fell seriously ill allegedly because of excessive drug use.

It may be recalled that two under-trails had escaped from Titlagarh jail last week following which the jail warden was suspended.

Likewise, on Sunday there were reports of another group clash in Khurda Jail. A case has been registered against seven inmates of the jail for allegedly attacking an inmate, Prakash Nayak, and injuring him.