Alert sounded as six Gujarat prisoners escape

AHMEDABAD, JULY 1: Six prisoners escaped from the Surendranagar sub-jail late on Tuesday night. However, one -- Vaghari Savjimoti -- was ...

AHMEDABAD, JULY 1: Six prisoners escaped from the Surendranagar sub-jail late on Tuesday night. However, one — Vaghari Savjimoti — was arrested from Velavadar village on Wednesday.

An alert has been sounded in the state for the other prisoners and a strict watch is being kept at all entry and exit points in Surendranagar district and Rajkot, Morvi, Ahmedabad Rural and nearby areas.

According to Surendranagar police, of the six who escaped from the jail two had been arrested in a murder case, while four for looting passengers and theft.

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Among those who escaped are Vaghari Dhirukesha, Vaghari Vakunanu, Vaghari Savjimoti, Vaghari Karsan Dharashi, Vaghari Mansukh Ramu and Koli Sadhadur Bhikha. All of them were arrested about six months ago and lodged in barrack number two.

Police said the prisoners escaped between 1.30 and 2.30 am, by pulling out the rods of an enclosure. They later jumped the boundary wall and escaped on two motorcycles lying behind the jail.

Police suspect they could have taken shelter in either Morvi or Rajkot as they were involved in crimes there. A combing operation was launched in Morvi and Rajkot rural. The four housebreakers belong to the notorious Chappani’ gang.

Police said as soon as the authorities realised that the six had escaped, they gave them a chase. However, the police could chase them till Vadnagar, when they took advantage of the darkness and fled, leaving the motorcycles behind. Top police officials have rushed to the spot for investigation.