Covid positive prisoners escapes from Diphu Jail, Assam

By Apekshita Sonowal

Three under trial Covid-19 positive prisoners fled from Karbi Anglong’s Diphu district Jail on Tuesday night.

According to TOI reports, the three prisoners were kept in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 and fled from the jail after taking advantage of security lapse and heavy rain during the night.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Ainul Ali, Idris Ali and Ajmir. While Abdul has been arrested in connection with a theft case, the latter two were held in a drug peddling case. The three were sent to jail on Monday.

According to Jail Superintendent Tapan Kuman Chutia, "The accused were tested for Covid-19 as per protocol and were found positive on Monday. They were kept in isolation rooms. It was raining heavily on Tuesday night and there was no power supply at that time. The accused took advantage and fled by breaking the window of the room where they were kept in isolation." However, the Jail Superintendent didn’t comment on the security lapse.

IG Barnali Sharma on the other hand said that the case will be further investigated to find out as to how the prisoners have escaped in spite of the heavy security. She also said if there has been a security lapse and any involvement of officers found indirectly responsible for the prisoner’s escape, proper action will be taken against them.

“There are jungles in the nearby area of the jail. The accused have probably taken the advantage of the jungle to flee. There might be a security lapse in the jail. All police stations have been alerted. We will net them soon," a police officer said.

Furthermore, police have started a search operation for the three prisoners.

(Source- TOI)