We are deeply concerned over the escape of an unspecified number of prisoners from different prisons in the country in last few days. The first incident of jailbreak occurred during the violence that broke out on July 19 centring the quota reform movement. Some 826 prisoners escaped from Narsingdi district jail after looting 85 weapons. However, 481 prisoners have been recaptured later.
On Tuesday, a mob armed with sticks stormed Sherpur district jail, freeing more than 500 prisoners. In addition, some 209 inmates fled from Kashimpur high-security prison in Gazipur the same day. Prison guards opened fire to stop the inmates from fleeing, killing six, including three militants, according to media reports.
Besides, six prisoners were killed and 19 others, including guards and inmates, were injured in a shooting at Jamalpur district jail on Thursday.
At least 22 inmates were injured as some prisoners of Gazipur district jail tried to revolt following the release of some politically-affiliated inmates on Thursday. The other prison inmates, who were convicted in different cases, including robbery, staged demonstrations on Thursday morning after they failed to escape from the jail.
The first incident of jailbreak
occurred during the violence that broke out on July 19
centring the quota
reform movement.
Security must be tightened at all jails, considering the current situation in the country. Apart from criminals, some political prisoners also walked out of jail after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government recently.
When prison guards tried to stop them, the inmates attacked the guards and tried to escape by breaking the walls and jumping over the walls. Therefore, surveillance must be stepped up in and around all the jails while leave of all jail staffers should be cancelled. All the prisons across the country must be put on high alert.
Security must also be beefed up in all under-construction mega projects and key point installations (KPIs) to keep them safe and secure. Besides, security should be beefed up at Bangladesh Secretariat, international airports, power stations and government hospitals. Law enforcers, including intelligence agencies, should remain alert to thwart any plot of vested elements.
Therefore, we think the authorities and other law enforcement agencies must take necessary steps immediately to prevent criminal activities like jailbreak, vandalism, arson attacks and looting. We also urge the authorities concerned to find solutions to this end and address ongoing challenges.
