Maoists’ escape: Judicial custody for arrested jailer, wardens

RANCHI - A jailer and two wardens, arrested for helping three hardcore Maoists escape from a jail in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, were sent to 14 days judicial custody by a court Tuesday.

Jailer Mohammad Shamsuddin, and wardens Kamal Ram and Louis Bhengra were arrested after the three rebels — Dhirendra, Sandeep and Nirbhay — escaped early Monday. According to police sources, the jailer and wardens were involved in the escape of the Maoists.

In jail for the last two to three years, all the three rebels were members of the zonal committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).

Sandeep and Dhirendra were allegedly involved in two incidents of ambush in Saranda jungle in 2002 and 2003 where more than 40 security personnel were killed.

Police say their escape is a big blow to the state’s anti-Maoist operations and fear that the Maoists were regrouping in the Saranda jungle.

An intensive combing operation has been launched in the state to arrest the escaped Maoists.

Chief Minister Arjun Munda Tuesday said the entire incident would be probed and security measures in the state’s jails beefed up.

Jharkhand DGP Neyaz Ahmad said that a meeting of jailors of the state would soon be called to ensure security of jails.

“It is unfortunate that the Maoists escaped. Police had arrested them after much effort,” he said.