20 cops suspended as eight jailbirds flee prison

At least 20 police personnel deputed to guard a prison in southern town of Kapilbastu were suspended Saturday after eight jailbirds escaped the prison by digging a tunnel Friday night.

Local authorities in Kapilbastu took an action to this effect to probe into the incident of jail break. Altogether 20 police personnel under the command of Sub Inspector Man Bahadur Thapa were deputed to guard the prison.

The jailbirds had dug 2.5ft wide and over 10ft long tunnel from a room in the prison to flee the jail. Most of those fleeing the prison are criminals convicted in serious crimes including murder, rape and arms activities in Terai districts bordering with India.

The inmates had used knives, sickles, spatulas and ladles to dig the tunnel, according to police. The police have taken prison in-charge Surya Yadav and assistant police inspector Man Bahadur Thapa under control to investigate into the incident.

Senior police officials in the district inspected the jail Saturday morning to assess the security lapses. They said search was underway to track down the escapees.

Three years ago, seven inmates had escaped from the jail after digging a tunnel. Prison guard Laxman Shrestha was killed when inmates had tried to escape a year later.

- Asian Tribune -