Chandigarh, June 29 -- The Punjab government on Friday suspended 26 officers and employees of the jail department for dereliction of duty.

Punjab jail minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that 26 officers and employees of the jail department have been suspended with immediate effect under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, for dereliction of duty/negligence.

Giving a clear message to the officers and employees on duty in the jails of Punjab, the minister said that illegal activities, misbehaviour, indiscipline, absence from duty and activities like involvement with prisoners will not be tolerated at all.

The minister said that Iqbal Singh Brar, superintendent, District Jail, Mansa, Maninder Pal Cheema, dep...