Kochi: A routine instruction inside the Mattancherry Sub Jail spiralled into a violent incident on Tuesday morning, when a remand prisoner attacked two prison officers with an iron lid, leaving both with fractured hands.

The accused has been identified as Thanzeer, who is reportedly wanted in many cases. A case has been registered by the Mattancherry Police based on a complaint filed by the injured Assistant Prison Officers (APO), Rijumon and Binu Narayanan.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 7.30 am near the jail’s guard office. The trouble began when the officers instructed Thanzeer to return to his cell after breakfast. Enraged by the directive, the prisoner allegedly picked up an iron lid from a nearby drinking-water vessel and attacked them.

The FIR states that Thanzeer struck Rijumon on the right hand, causing a fracture. He then allegedly twisted the right hand of Binu Narayanan, resulting in a fracture. During the assault, the accused reportedly threatened the officers, warning that he would kill them once he was released from prison.

“The accused was lodged in the Mattancherry sub jail under judicial custody after being arrested in a case registered at the Thoppumpady Police Station for obstructing police officers from discharging their duties. He is also wanted in several other criminal and narcotics-related cases,” a police officer said.

The officer added that Thanzeer’s formal arrest in the assault case is yet to be recorded. “Since he is a remand prisoner, the arrest can be completed only with the court’s permission,” the officer said.

The police have booked the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges of voluntarily causing grievous hurt (Section 118(2)), causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty (Section 121(2)), assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty (Section 132), and criminal intimidation (Section 351(2)). Both injured officers are undergoing treatment.