Saroj Poudel, police inspector at the District Police Office, Rolpa, informed that of the eight prisoners who escaped, three were convicts while five were detainees kept in police custody for further investigation. [break]
Those escaping the jail have been identified as Arjun Sen, of Khungri VDC in Rolpa arrested on the charge of smuggling; Krishna Bahadur Oli and Raju Thapa of Dhabang VDC; and Basanta Rokka of Rankot VDC and Dipak Pun of Saigha VDC in Dang district. Similarly, Dhruba Dangi of Jugar VDC in Rolpa, Chankhe BK of Jedbag VDC and Raj Bahadur Oli of Jankhot VDC who were serving terms on various charges.
The exit of the tunnel was to the east of the prison house built in the Panchayat era. After the incident, police are combing the area to recapture the inmates.
Eleven police personnel were guarding the prison while police inspector Shalikram Basent was security in-charge at the time of the incident. The jail administration had learnt about the incident only half an hour after the jailbirds escaped.
Mid-western Regional police Chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Tapendra Dhwaj Hamal has reached Rolpa to take stock of the situation.
After the meeting with security officials in the district, Hamal informed that Home ministry and police have formed two separate probe committees to investigate into the incident. According to Hamal, the Mid-western Regional Police Office has formed a three-member probe committee led by Senior Superintendent of Police Uttam Bahadur Singh. Similarly, the ministry´s team is led by Assistant Regional Administrator Basudev Dahal. Both committees have started work from Sunday itself.
Six policemen including one a police inspector has been suspended in connection with the incident. Police inspector Basanta Basnet, constable Chhetra Bahadur Rana, police personnel Chhabilal Oli, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Khadak Bahadur Accharya are among the suspended. A total of 84 inmates were housed in the prison meant for 35 inmates.
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