Inmates at the East Khasi Hills District Jail here refused to take food for about 24 hours claiming the food served were of poor quality, but later on discontinued the hunger strike, officials said.
The inmates did not take breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday but withdrew the hunger strike this morning following intervention by Director General (Prison), BL Buam.
More than 380 inmates, both undertrial and convicted, are presently lodged in the jail.
Buam, when contacted, said the hunger strike launched by the inmates is linked to seizure of three mobile phones during checking inside the jail recently.
"A GNLA (Garo National Liberation Army) cadre had also handed over a mobile phone to the officials and claimed that he had paid Rs 5,000 to a warder (to keep the phone). The warder was arrested and discharged from service about two weeks ago," Buam said.
The hunger strike was instigated by a group of 6-10 inmates who started raising issues like lack of water supply and poor food, the IPS officer said adding they also wanted to keep Rs 100 in their pockets inside the jail.
On the quality of food, he said, "By and large, the food quality is alright. We ensure that prisoners get food according to rules.
