DANTEWADA (Chhattisgarh): A daring jailbreak in the
Dantewada prison in which 300 inmates escaped on Sunday led to the
government suspending Chhattisgarh DIG (Jail) P D Verma. The 300
inmates are still at large.
As many as 105 Naxal activists were among those who
fled as security personnel scoured the jungles near the prison.
Taking a serious view of the incident, Chief
Minister Raman Singh ordered suspension of Verma saying prima facie
he had not done his duties properly like constantly monitoring jail
security to plug any loopholes.
Dantewada SP Rahul Sharma said police personnel were
moving about cautiously because of fear of landmines and boobytraps
which may have been planted in the area full of Naxals. There were
conflicting reports that a few inmates may have returned to the
prison.
“Without the cooperation of the prison staff such an
incident cannot possibly take place in a very planned way and in a
limited time,” a top police official said after speaking to the
inmates.
The jail had 383 inmates when the apparent
pre-planned action took place on Sunday evening while dinner was
being served.
“We have some information about the involvement of
the prison staff which is being verified,” the official said.
Taking a tough line, Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam,
who reviewed the situation after visiting the jail, said if any jail
personnel was found involved they will not only be terminated from
service but would also be arrested and tried.
Read Also
