How did he ‘escape’?

Officials and guards at Chattogram Central Jail are desperately looking for the "escape points" and loopholes in the security measures after a murder case accused inmate escaped from the prison on Saturday morning.

They are also reviewing the security system to avoid further incidents, said prison sources.

Meanwhile, prison authorities yesterday suspended two prison guards of Chattogram Central Jail, and withdrew its jailer and a deputy jailer for their negligence in discharging duty after the inmate -- Farhad Hossain Rubel -- fled from the prison.

Brig Gen Mominur Rahman Mamun, inspector general of prisons, said a departmental case was also filed against another guard.

Before being withdrawn, jailer Rafiqul Islam filed a case against the escaped inmate with Kotwali Police Station.

"Police are investigating the case and trying to arrest the criminal," said Nobel Chakma, assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali zone).

According to the case statement, Rubel was locked up with other prisoners at ward-15 of Karnaphuli Bhaban's top floor inside prison.

When assistant chief prison guard Kamal Haidar started counting the inmates around 6:30am on Saturday, he found that Rubel was missing.

The case statement said failing to find him, Kamal inquired with prison guard Nazim, who said Rubel went out of the ward around 5:15am.

Assistant chief prison guard Yunus Mia echoed Nazim. Following that, the jail authorities searched for Rubel but to no avail, said the case statement.

Talking to The Daily Star, several jail officials said there are around 30 CCTV cameras on the jail premises. Apart from that, the drains connected to the jail are also grilled. They said all the possible spaces where an inmate may hide have been searched thoroughly.

Meanwhile, a deputy jailer said several vehicles carrying garbage and kitchen products enter the jail every day. Those vehicles should be investigated as well, he added. 

Besides, it was not possible to climb over the boundary wall without any support, he added.

Another prison official said the loopholes in the high security jail should be detected and fixed. This incident has raised questions about the overall security system of the prison, he added.

Asked, Brig Gen Mamun said jailer Rafiqul and deputy jailer Sadat have been attached to the headquarters and DIG Chattogram prison office respectively following the incident.

A departmental case was lodged against Kamal Haider, assistant chief prison guard, he said. The suspended prison guards are Yunus and Nazim.

A three-member committee, led by DIG prisons (Khulna division) Md Sagir Mia, has been formed to investigate the incident, he added.

Contacted, Sagir Mia said the committee will start working from today.