Situation under control in Srinagar Central Jail after angry inmates set fire to a temporary shelter

The situation was under control inside the Srinagar Central Jail where trouble erupted on Thursday when angry inmates torched a temporary shelter after rumours spread that some prisoners were being shifted to jails outside the Kashmir Valley, authorities said on Friday.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh, who is also the Director General (Prisons), said the situation inside the Srinagar Central jail took an ugly turn on Thursday after the inmates were told to vacate a barrack, which required repairs.

"Few trouble-mongers used the situation to spread rumours that some of the inmates were being shifted to jails outside the Valley," Singh said.

The angry inmates then set fire to a temporary shelter and vandalised some other jail properties. Two inmates were injured in the incident. The police had to rush to spot and help the jail authorities bring the situation under control.

"Order was quickly restored and the situation was brought under control," the police said.

The authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in few areas in the old city besides disallowing the congregational Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta.

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers the Friday sermons at the Jamia Masjid, has been placed under house arrest at his residence in Nigeen on the outskirts of the city.