Magisterial inquiry ordered into prisoners escape in Goa

Panaji, Sep 17 (UNI) The government today ordered a magisterial inquiry into the escape of 14 prisoners from South Goa's Margao judicial lock-up on September 15, even as a massive manhunt is underway to trace 11 of them.

Informed sources told UNI that the probe will look into all aspects of the escape of the undertrials from the custody and fix responsibility for the episode.

Meanwhile, the Inpector General of Prisons Mir Vardhan today submitted a preliminary inquiry report on the incident to chief secretary J P Singh.

The police managed to trace three of the prisoners yesterday, while the combing operations were on to nab others. The undertrials gave the slip to police by escaping from a gate left open in the Margao Jail after the Ganesh Chathurti prayers.

The prisoners were brought to the lobby of the jail on Saturday night to attend the prayers and 'prasad' distribution. They, however, allegedly overpowered the guards and fled.

Five officials of the lock-up, including the jailer, have placed under suspension following the incident. The authorities have been maintaining a vigil at all escape routes including the railway stations and bus terminals.

UNI