Eight inmates harm themselves at high security prison

The prisoners have been on hunger strike against deplorable living conditions

SAHIWAL: As many as eight inmates managed to injure themselves at a high security prison. The prisoners, who were on hunger strike for the third consecutive day against deplorable living conditions, hurt themselves after breaking mud flasks. They were taken to the hospital established on the HSP premises and 50 prison wardens, deployed on duty, were arrested. Sources said the police held the officials for not intervening to stop the prisoners from harming themselves.

Sources added that the prison wardens have been transferred to Lahore, while they are protesting against the decision.

Around 246 prisoners are on a hunger strike at the HSP in Sahiwal. The jail is used to confine high-profile prisoners who are convicted in heinous crimes such as terrorism and other such offences. The inmates went on strike on June 15 (Saturday). Prisons DIG Kamran Anjum held talks with them, but the dialogue ended up being an exercise in futility.

Sources said that the inmates held a strike against the attitude of Jail Superintendent Naveed Ashraf, the low quality of medicines and food provided in jail. The inmates are also unhappy because they were sent to meeting rooms in handcuffs.

Witnesses said that the prisoners inflicted injuries on themselves after the negotiations with the administration failed. After receiving information about the incident, DIG Prisons and other officials reached the spot to talks with the inmates, but he failed to convince them.

In total, there are 346 prisoners and 246 of them are on hunger strike. On Sunday, only 100 of them had their breakfast and ate meals, while the others refused to consume food.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2019.