Tura, October 26: In another shocker of an incident for the people of the region, a person detained on the basis of suspicion of being involved in kidnap and murder, escaped from police custody when he went to the hospital for a medical check-up. The incident comes close on the heels of the escape of Nurul Islam, the former disgraced Sub Inspector of Ampati as well as the Tura Jail break, where a GNLA militant was able to escape.
According to sources, the police caught Abdul Kalam Azad from New Bhaitbari on suspicion of being a part of the gang that kidnapped and murdered 70 year old Ram Chandra Thakur. After routine questioning, he was sent for a medical check up before he could be formally charged. The kidnap and murder suspect was taken to the Phulbari CHC for a regular medical check from where he was able to give the slip to the police.
A constable, Ajay Chetri, went along with Kalam to the nearby CHC to escort the suspect. Kalam was then ushered into the check up room where he complained that he had been unable to eat for the past few days. He was then asked to be seated outside, while the constable went in to speak to the nurse on duty. Sensing his opportunity, Kalam ran from the place. The constable went to check for him, but could not locate him anywhere. He alerted his colleagues, but by that time, the suspect was nowhere to be found.
According to one person who was present during the getaway, the most likely route of escape was the toilet room, which was found to be locked from the inside and which had windows that were completely open, without any form of protective grill. Allegations are on that the accused managed to escape in an ambulance that was parked for him outside the CHC. This, however, could not be confirmed. The Police have launched a search operation for the accused. The whole incident happened at about 7:55 pm on the 25th of Oct.
Taking cognizance of the escape, the DC of West Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi, said that strict action would be taken on all those found guilty of neglect of duty. An inquiry into the incident is already underway, with the constable summoned for explanation to the District Headquarter in Tura. The whole region is now aghast at the incident, while the police now looks at everything for answers to what should have been a routine arrest.
SP, Mukesh Singh, “We are taking the matter very seriously as things like this are not supposed to happen. We are investigating what happened and from the initial findings, it seems there was a lack of police personnel while the suspect was being checked up. The funny thing is that we had just taken him in for interrogation, but by him running away, it proves he has been involved. Responsibility for the incident is being fixed and we will take very stern action against those found guilty of negligence. I have asked for a report from the SDPO at the earliest”.(SP News)
