Gopalganj (Bihar): Incensed over the death of their colleague in course of treatment, inmates today (Aug 7, 2004) took control of the Gopalganj jail in Bihar after driving out the securitymen and other jail staff.

Official sources said that an undertrial Jalaluddin died during treatment at the Sadar hospital.

As the news of his death spread, the prisoners drove the securitymen and other jail staff out and bolted the main gate from inside. They indulged in slogan shouting against the jail authorities and asked for a meeting with the senior officials.

Security around the jail premises was tightened and close vigil was being kept on the inmates, sources said.

District Magistrate and Police Superintendent of Gopalganj were camping outside the jail. The officials were trying to persuade the agitators to start dialogue.

Meanwhile, State Jail Minister Raghvendra Pratap Singh said that the authorities had taken effective steps to normalize the situation arising out of the death of the undertrial at Sadar hospital in Gopalganj this morning.

The deceased was shifted to the hospital for treatment from the jail last night (Aug 6, 2004) as his condition deteriorated, Singh said over the phone from Ara in Bhojpur district.

The Minister said that he was in constant touch with the IG (Prisons) Ravikant and Gopalganj district authorities and, "If needed I will leave for Gopalganj later this afternoon."