5 prisoners escape from Buxar jail, 3 officials suspended

NEW DELHI: The claims of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that law and order is in order got a major blow on Saturday as five prisoners escaped from the Buxar central jail. Though, the Bihar government has issued high alert and cordoned off the area, role of insiders cannot be denied.

According to sources in Bihar police, it's the handiwork of jail insider as without the support of jail officials, possibility of breaking jail is not possible. “All the escaped inmates, who were serving rigorous imprisonment, had faked illness to get themselves admitted to medical ward before attempting the jailbreak. The prisoners –Sonu Singh (Buxar), Sonu Pandey (Ara), Upendra Sah (Ara), Deodhari Rai (Saran) and Pradip Singh (Motihari) –broke out of the jail using bed sheets as ropes,” the source said, adding that prisoners scaled the wall of the jail and escaped.

According to police officials, search operation was on to locate the absconding prisoners, but no progress has been reported till the paper went for printing.

“I have given instructions to DIG jail to look into the matter and report to me,” said Principal Home Secretary Aamir Subhani on the jail break.

“I have given instructions to Deputy Inspector General (Jail) to look into the matter and report to me on the same,” said Principal Home Secretary Aamir Subhani.

Meanwhile, three wardens have been suspended after the jail break incident. “Preliminary investigation suggests insiders may be involved in facilitating the jailbreak. The Buxar district magistrate and superintendent of police reached the spot immediately after the incident,” an official said.