A high-security gang rivalry erupted inside Ludhiana's Central Jail on Monday, resulting in a brutal attack on a newly incarcerated drug trafficking suspect. Five inmates allegedly stabbed the victim, identified as Manroj, just hours after he had pleaded with prison officials for a transfer to a safer ward.
Details of the Attack
Manroj, who had been imprisoned 20 days earlier under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, sustained severe injuries to his head and chest. He was initially treated at Ludhiana's civil hospital before being transferred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Prison authorities have requested the police to file first-information reports (FIRs) against the five accused inmates: Mohanmeet Singh, Harkaran Singh, Gurtej Singh, Shubham Mishra, and Tajinder Singh. The attack occurred shortly after Manroj met with senior prison officials on Monday afternoon, warning them that long-standing rivals from his hometown of Samrala were housed in the same unit.
Prison Response and Background
Balbir Singh, deputy superintendent of Ludhiana Central Jail, stated, “After Manroj’s request, we changed his ward quickly. However, by the evening, the accused inmates from the separate wards managed to gather and attack him.” The accused inmates were themselves awaiting trial on charges including murder, theft, weapons offenses, and assault. Police confirmed that the feud between Manroj and the attackers predated their incarcerations.
The incident highlights the persistent challenge of gang violence within prison walls, despite security measures. Authorities are investigating how the accused inmates were able to bypass ward restrictions to carry out the attack.
