The prisoners at Central Jail Larkana made four policemen hostage and refused to accept meals after the coronavirus was found in some of them, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

The inmates also refused to give attendance, demanding that they should allowed to move out of barracks where it is impossible to maintain social distancing there amid the rapid spread of the virus.

They should not restricted to the barracks as the virus has spread in the prison, said the prisoners, as the jail administration called in a large contingent to police to tackle the situation.

The prison officials said a total of 77 inmates and staff members had been tested for the coronavirus after which eight of them – including a jailer Iqbal Nanori – were diagnosed with the virus.

The infected people had been quarantined, they said, adding that talks were underway with the prisoners and the hostage policemen would be get freed soon.