Dehradun: In a significant move concerning jail security in Uttarakhand, the administration has issued directives to tighten security across all prisons following the escape of two prisoners serving life imprisonment and kidnapping from Dehradun District Jail during Ramlila.
Security measures will now adhere strictly to protocol, and no activities will be conducted without prior permission to prevent similar incidents. No such activities will be done in the jails without permission which may give escape routes to the convicted. In addition, instructions have been issued to keep a special eye on the notorious prisoners and visitors.
Two prisoners escaped by jumping over the wall during Ramlila
During the Ramlila performance last Friday night, two prisoners, dressed as monkeys and playing the role of Ram’s ‘Vaanar sena’, escaped by jumping over the wall of the district jail in Roshanabad in Haridwar. One prisoner, affiliated with the Valmiki gang, was serving a life sentence for murder, while the other was awaiting trial for kidnapping. The escape occurred while they were watching the Ramlila performance from the gallery.
Ladder made a support to jump from the wall
Both of them used the ladder kept for construction work in the jail to jump from the wall. Even after such a big incident, the jail administration informed the police after 10 hours. The headquarters of the Prison Administration and Reform Services Department has considered this a serious lapse and suspended six employees including the in-charge jail superintendent.
Special attention on notorious prisoners and visitors
Strict instructions have been issued to prevent such negligence from recurring. A high-level meeting has been also scheduled for Monday to discuss and issue guidelines on jail security. The jail administration is in a state of shock as there is still no information about the escaped prisoners. DIG Jail is closely investigating the incident and is expected to submit his report within two or three days. Special attention will also be given to monitoring notorious prisoners and visitors.
Prisoners more than the capacity of prisons are also a challenge
The issue of overcrowded jails poses a significant challenge for the jail administration. District Jails in Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, and Sitarganj are housing twice their capacity. Many dangerous prisoners are under special surveillance. Currently, the approved capacity for the state’s 11 jails is 3,541 prisoners and detainees, but there are 5,928 prisoners and detainees lodged there.
