Hazaribagh: Three convicted prisoners escaped from the Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail, commonly known as JP Jail, in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on Wednesday, triggering a massive search operation and raising serious concerns about security lapses at one of the state’s most secure prisons.
Jail Superintendent Chandrashekhar Suman confirmed the incident and said preliminary information indicates that all three escaped convicts are residents of Dhanbad district. He added that detailed profiles of the fugitives are being prepared and circulated among various law enforcement agencies to aid in their swift arrest.
According to initial reports, the escape came to light during a routine headcount when inmates were brought out of their barracks. Jail officials noticed that three prisoners were missing and immediately launched an internal search within the prison premises, initially suspecting that the inmates might be hiding somewhere inside the complex.
When the extensive search failed to trace the missing prisoners, the authorities alerted the district administration and police, prompting a high alert across the region. The jail perimeter and surrounding areas were cordoned off, and search operations were initiated at suspected hideouts to track down the escapees.
Police units in neighbouring districts have also been put on alert, with checkpoints strengthened to prevent the prisoners from fleeing the area. Surveillance has been intensified to monitor any possible movement of the fugitives.
The incident has shocked officials, especially as JP Jail is considered a high-security facility equipped with a five-layer security system, round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, and armed personnel deployed at all entry and exit points. The prison houses notorious criminals, Maoists, and several high-profile undertrial prisoners.
Notably, the jail’s security infrastructure had been reinforced in recent months. The Jail Inspector General had recently suspended 12 security personnel over alleged security lapses. Despite these steps, the latest escape has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of the prison’s security arrangements.
With inputs from IANS