Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh:
In a major security lapse, two convicts serving life imprisonment today escaped from the
main gate of the highly guarded district jail in Lakhimpur,Uttar Pradesh.
"The convicts, identified as Ajay of Bahraich and Ravindra of Kheri district, escaped from the district jail through the main gate this morning," Jail Superintendent R K Tripathi told PTI.
"Both were serving life imprisonment. Ajay has some other cases on trial," he added.
Mr Tripathi said the role of two jail guards was found to be suspicious and an inquiry is being set up on how the convicts managed to escape despite high security at the gate.
He said the eyewitnesses' claim of the convicts carrying firearms was a serious matter and a probe would be initiated.
Superintendent of Police Arvind Sen Yadav, District Magistrate Gaurav Dayal and other officials rushed to the district jail and reviewed the situation.
Later, while speaking to reporters, Mr Yadav held negligence on the part of the jail administration responsible for the incident. He said the district border, particularly the Indo-Nepal border, has been sealed.
Several police teams have been formed to nab the two absconding convicts, the SP said.
A thorough inquiry would be carried out to know on how the miscreants managed to pass through the high security zone at the district jail, he added.