New Delhi: A plan by group of Tihar jail inmates to indulge in violence during a function was foiled by the prison's security officials who stopped the prisoners from attending the event, officials claimed.
Later, around 27 of these inmates allegedly inflicted self -injuries on themselves in a bid to show their displeasure.
The incident happened on November 10 at the launch of second season of 'Tihar Idol', a singing talent show that the authorities of the high-security jail first organised in 2012 on the lines of famed 'Indian Idol'.
Playback singer Sonu Nigam had launched the show and other noted artists including Raja Hassan, Nandini Dev and actress Akriti Bharti and Sonu's father Agam Nigam had also performed at the show.
A senior jail security official told that a "major incident" was planned by a group of inmates of the special security jail during the event, as all of them were supposed to be freed within the jail premise to attend the function.
The jail administration, however, got wind of their plan and blacklisted them. They also not allowed the prisoners to attend the function and kept them confined to their wards.
The incident took place in the ward number 8, around 9 PM on the night of November 10.
"On the function night, the inmates who were not allowed to attend the function were found injured in their ward. All of them were given medical treatment and police was informed," a senior jail official said.
Most of the inmates, when questioned by police, confessed to have inflicted those injuries on themselves, police said. A case has been registered in this regard.
According to sources, blades and other sharp objects were used in the incident which was later recovered during searches in the ward.
"We have been successful in preventing a big threat. Our security officers had prior suspicion that something big was being planned. 2000 people, including celebrities were out there to attend and enjoy the function here. Keeping their security in mind, a certain group of inmates were not allowed to attend the function," the official said.
"We could not take any risks with the safety of our celebrity guests. It is a question of our jail's reputation and our security arrangements," he said.
On the next day, when these miscreants were being transferred to different wards to break their group, around 24-25 inmates of the ward number two also inflicted injuries on themselves in protest and to pressurise the jail administration.
The official said after that incident, security in jail
has been beefed up and legitimate punishment has been given to those erring inmates.
"The jail also houses VIP inmates including Sahara chief Subrata Roy. His security is also being taken care of as not all inmates are allowed to near his cell," he said.
Recently, Tihar jail administration had raised the height of its walls and put nets on them to prevent objects like cellphones, blades and other things being flung in from outside the jail.
The jail administration is also looking forward to install full body scanners in all the jails here through which such acts can further be curbed down.
"We arrange such events and gatherings for their own benefit, but such acts by a few inmates ruin the environment of the jail. Our efforts to drain out negativity and inject positivity in them gets affected by such acts," the official said.
