Ayodhya divisional prison was once again in news when two groups of inmates clashed over possession of mobile phone and virtually took over the jail by blocking entry for several hours late Friday night.

It was only after District Magistrate Anil Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Kumar, SP (City) Anil Singh Sisodiya, SP (Rural) Sanjay Kumar and a large contingent of police personnel entered the jail premises through ladders that the situation could be controlled. The officials spoke to the warring groups and later said that the situation was under control.

Interestingly, the officers also summoned fire-tenders as the inmates threatened to blast LPG cylinders kept inside.

Last year also, in July, the Ayodhya prison was in news after a hardened criminal celebrated his birthday inside the barrack and its video went viral.

As per reports, some inmates who were recently shifted from Azamgarh jail to the Ayodhya prison, clashed with fellow inmates over keeping mobile phones. Suspecting that inmate Bhola had tipped-off the authorities, the other group brutally assaulted him on Friday night. They also attacked a jail guard who tried to rescue Bhola. Later, a free for all ensued and prisoners took over the jail.

Finding himself in a hapless situation, the jail superintendent informed the District Magistrate about the development after which senior officials rushed to the prison.

To monitor the situation, drone cameras were pressed into service and additional police force was requisitioned before the contingent entered the jail campus.

The injured were later shifted to hospital but it took several hours to defuse the situation and force the inmates to return to their barracks.