Bhubaneswar: Seven undertrial prisoners (UTPs), including a Maoist, fell unconscious at Jharpada special jail here on Tuesday evening, prompting their emergency hospitalisation. According to jail officials, five inmates were admitted to the ICU at Capital Hospital, while two others were shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar after their condition deteriorated.Doctors are still trying to determine the cause of their sudden illness. DCP Jagmohan Meena visited Capital Hospital to oversee security arrangements. “Since one of the inmates is a Maoist, we have ensured adequate security deployment,” Meena said. The DCP said, “Condition of some of them is serious. At this stage, there is no clarity on what triggered the sickness.”Jail officials said they were baffled by the sudden incident. “They were lodged in separate wards when them fainted at the same time. We do not suspect food poisoning as none of them vomited or complained of stomach upset. We are awaiting the doctors’ opinion and have begun examining CCTV footage inside the jail,” jail superintendent Sarbeswar Sahoo said.Sources said officials are also investigating whether the inmates had clandestine access to intoxicants or any other prohibited substance inside the jail.
