2 prisoners flee Covid centre in Sonapur

By - Rokibuz Zaman
GUWAHATI: Two Covid-positive prisoners in Guwahati Central Jail - who have been charged with kidnapping and theft cases - escaped from the Sonapur Covid care centre on the outskirts of city on Thursday. Several others too attempted to flee the centre, but were stopped by police.
City police commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta on Saturday told reporters, "There are about 175 prisoners from the jail who tested Covid-19 positive and are undergoing treatment in the Covid care centre. Three of them tried to escape on Thursday, but one was unable to climb the wall and was caught by police." Of 31jails in Assam, Covid positive cases are reported from 7 jails so far.
Gupta said the two escapees identified as Saddam Ali and Saibul are accused of kidnapping in a case at Jalukbari police station and theft cases in Hatigaon police station, respectively .
Police are yet to nab them. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway to nab them.
Police had to resort to blank firing, while more forces have been called on Friday, as prisoners from the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Sonapur attempted to escape.
"The prisoners tried to escape from the window where the grill was broken. Some even attacked the health workers and policemen inside the covid care centre. Police resorted to blank firing and more force was called in. This lasted for almost an hour," the cop said.
"There is sufficient police presence at the centre and the situation is under control. No one needs to fear," said Gupta.
Kamrup Metropolitan deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu told TOI, "The issue has been resolved. A high-level meeting was held today (Saturday) on the measures adopted for treatment and security of jail inmates and the home department will issue detailed guidelines soon."
Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the security arrangements for Covid positive jail inmates and directed to set up a three-member committee to study security arrangements.