6 inmates killed in Jamalpur jail clash

At least six inmates were killed in a clash between two groups at Jamalpur District Jail on Thursday, while inmates at Chattogram Central Jail staged a rebellion on Friday, attempting to escape.

The deceased were Arman, Raihan, Shyamal, Fazle Rabbi Babu, Jasim, and Rahat – all residents of Jamalpur Sadar Upazila.

In Jamalpur, seven prison guards, including the district jailer, were injured in the clash, the jail authorities said on Friday.

Jamalpur district jailer Abu Fattah said two groups of the inmates locked into clashes inside the jail on Thursday afternoon while six of them died in this connection. 

The jailer, however, didn't elaborate how they died. After bringing the situation under control, the inmates beat the jailer, held him captive and tried to escape from the jail, he said.

The inmates vandalised two buildings within the prison, the jailer's office, and one of the main gates. They also set fire to several parts of the facility, taking 14 prison guards hostage in the process, he said.

At one stage, the prison guards responded by firing warning shots to regain control of the situation, the jailer said.

In response to the crisis, army, RAB, police, and fire service were deployed in the jail to restore order. The hostages were released later that night, and by 3am, prison authorities had regained full control of the facility, jailer Fattah said.

Four critically injured inmates and three prison guards were admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Jamalpur General Hospital for treatment. The jailer confirmed that no prisoners managed to escape during the incident.

The Public Works Department has already begun repairs on the damaged gates and other structures inside the prison, the jailer said.

Jamalpur District Jail currently houses 669 inmates, of whom 100 are convicted prisoners. Authorities have confirmed that there are no militants among the prison population.

Chattogram central jail incident

In Chattogram, inmates attempted an escape at around 2pm on Friday. The situation escalated rapidly, prompting prison guards to fire blank rounds to regain control. 

The standoff lasted approximately 30 minutes and caused significant panic in the surrounding area.

Jail Superintendent Manjur Hossain confirmed that order was restored with the help of a nearby army unit. 

"After Friday prayers, inmates from Jamuna and Halda wards attempted to breach the prison gates. The guards responded with blank rounds, and the arrival of the army unit helped manage the situation," Hossain said.

During the rebellion, 10 to 12 individuals, including seven guards, were injured. One injured person was transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, while others are receiving treatment at the prison hospital.

The jail superintendent said that the unrest may have stemmed from the release of students arrested during recent protests on bail, which agitated other inmates who questioned their imprisonment. 

"They perceive the current political situation as chaotic and question their continued confinement," he added.

Manjur assured that the prison situation had stabilised. "The prisoners have returned to their wards after meals. While the army personnel have left the prison, they remain on standby nearby," he added. 

The prison currently houses about 25 militants, approximately 150 Kuki-Chin members (including women), and over 100 inmates sentenced to death.