Chouhan had concerns over security at Bhopal jail

When contacted, Banerjee admitted that he had issued a written direction to the Bhopal Jail Superintendent.

Bhopal, Nov 1: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan may have had some concerns over the security at the Central Jail in Bhopal, from where eight SIMI activists escaped and were killed in an alleged encounter yesterday.

According to an official close to Chouhan, the CM, at the two-day Collectors and SPs meeting which ended on October 27, appeared to be worried over the absence of the jail authorities and had asked "where is the Prison Director General ?"

To which the CM was told that the prison official has been operated upon and is unwell.

Thereafter, Chouhan specifically told the Madhya Pradesh Jail Principal Secretary Vinod Semwal, who was present at the meeting, that "special thrust should be laid on the jail security," the official said.

Earlier on October 3, then MP Jail Additional Director General (ADG) Sushovan Banerjee had also issued a written direction to Bhopal Central Jail Superintendent which said that, "security in Bhopal Jail should be tightened in letter and spirit in the wake of the disturbing developments in the country."

The direction also said that a high alert has been sounded in the country (in wake of the Uri terror attack) and hence security should be beefed up in the local Central Jail.

When contacted, Banerjee admitted that he had issued a written direction to the Bhopal Jail Superintendent.

Now, Banerjee has been attached to the police headquarters after yesterday's incident. Sudhir Sahi has been made the MP Jail Additional Director General.

PTI