Search for mobile phones in Sargodha jail turns into riots

Scuffles between inmates and guards broke out after the latter were searching for cell phones.

SARGODHA: Prison authorities at the Sargodha-Khushab central jail had to request the district police to intervene after a prison search turned into riots by prisoners, Express News reported late on Monday.

According to details, prison authorities cracked down on the prevalence of mobile phone usage among prisoners. As guards searched prisoners and their cells for cell phones, scuffles broke out. Soon the prisoners were rioting.

Guards fired into the air to disperse the inmates, however it only turned the situation for the worse.

Prison authorities then called in police from the entire district to help control the situation. Police fired teargas to disperse the prisoners.

Express News correspondent Hussain Ahmed Kaleem said that last reports from the prison indicated that authorities had managed to control the situation.