Two Covid prisoners escape during treatment in Pakur

Dumka: Three Covid-positive prisoners undergoing treatment for the disease in Pakur district escaped on Saturday night. One of the trio, who broke his leg while escaping from the fifth floor of the Covid care centre, was nabbed and efforts were on to arrest the remaining two, police said on Sunday.

Pakur DC Kuldeep Chaudhary told TOI that the three prisoners were inmates of Pakur district jail and were being given treatment at a separate Covid care centre set up at a multi-storey market complex cum marriage hall located in front of the town police station of the district headquarters.

He said, “All three escaped after they managed to break the iron bars of the washroom window. Using bedsheets and towels to latch on to an adjacent tree, they climbed down. One of the prisoners got his legs fractured when he jumped down from the tree. He was arrested.”

Chaudhary added, “An FIR will be filed against the prisoners, including the one who was arrested, under relevant sections.” The trio was shifted to the Covid care centre after they were found positive during random tests.

Addressing a press conference, Pakur SP Mani Lal Mandal said action would be initiated against all 13 policemen, including three officers of JAP who were assigned the duty to guard the prisoners, for dereliction of duty.

Mandal said all border checkpoints of the district were sealed immediately after their escape .

The incident has triggered panic in Pakur town and residents feared that the two absconding prisoners might spread the virus.