A group of inmates who have cases pending against them under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act protested at the central correctional home in Jalpaiguri on Saturday demanding immediate release on bail as they fear they might contract the coronavirus.

The 70-odd inmates locked all entrances leading to a block of the correctional home and detained five wardens and 11 sweeping staff. The agitation was withdrawn after six hours, around 5pm. Jalpaiguri police chief Abhishek Modi said the police had received a written application from the protesters, adding that the agitation would be probed.