14 undertrials escape, jail security tightened
PTI,
Panaji
18 September 2007
In view of 14 undertrials
escaping from a lock-up in Margao, Goa will have armed policemen posted outside
all the state jails and lock-ups to check such incidents.
Following a mass
escape on Saturday night wherein 14 undertrials made good their escape from Margao
judicial lock-up, 30 km away from here, the state jail administration has sought
police help in guarding the prisons.
The undertrials had an easy escape
when they were brought to the jail lobby during Ganesh Chathurthi pooja. In the
combing operation that followed the escape, three were rearrested while the rest
are still at large.
"We have sought armed policemen posted outside
the jails as prison administration do not have enough manpower to have their own
armed staff," Inspector General, Prisons Mihir Vardhan told PTI.
The
state police have been asked to spare 68 policemen who will guard Central jail,
a sub-jail and three judicial lock-ups round-the-clock, Vardhan said.
About
the lapses in Margao incident, the IG said a jailor, an assistant jailor, a head
guard and two guards have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.
"It was found that jailor was not on duty and busy with Ganesh Chathurthi
celebrations while assistant jailor had moved out during the incident. One gate
was left unmanned as guard was sitting in office which provided ample opportunity
for the prisoners to rush through," Vardhan said.
"The entire
incident could have been prevented even with single armed guard," he added.
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