NEW DELHI: The Lampur detention centre witnessed high drama after a group of foreign detainees allegedly held hostage 10-12 staff members, including a doctor, prison personnel and officials from FRRO and IB, during a routine visit and pelted stones.As per the complaint filed by the in-charge of the centre, the incident occurred on March 16 around 11.30am when a doctor on duty, along with two prison officials, entered the block for routine OPD. They were allegedly locked inside and not allowed to exit. When the in-charge and other staff reached the block to control the situation, they too were prevented from coming out, leading to a hostage-like situation.The FIR states that despite repeated communication and requests, the detainees did not cooperate. A PCR call to Narela police station was made and local police reached the spot. An FRRO official who was called in attempted to speak to the detainees and address their concerns, but they allegedly refused to release the staff.According to the FIR, after prolonged efforts, the staff were brought out of the block with the help of police intervention. However, during and after the rescue, the situation escalated. The detainees allegedly became aggressive, engaged in scuffles with officials and started pelting stones and pieces of bricks at staff members and police personnel.Four officials sustained injuries in the incident. These included a head warder and a warder who suffered injuries to their hands, an Intelligence Bureau security assistant who sustained a head injury and an FRRO assistant sub-inspector who was injured in the hand.Police said a case has been registered at Narela police station under sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 127 (wrongful confinement), 121 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 3(5)(common intention) of BNS.
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The FIR states that the internees involved in the incident are detained Nigerian nationals, many of whom have been identified. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the escalation.
