An urgent manhunt is underway for three convicted prisoners who escaped from the Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail (JP Jail) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on Wednesday. This significant security lapse at a state-run high-security prison has led to a massive coordinated search effort. Jail Superintendent Chandrashekhar Suman confirmed the escape, stating that preliminary findings indicate the three fugitives are residents of Dhanbad. Authorities are actively preparing and distributing detailed information on the escapees to law enforcement agencies to facilitate their quick recovery.
The escape was detected during a routine inmate count. Jail officials conducted an immediate internal sweep, suspecting the prisoners might be hiding within the jail premises. When this proved unsuccessful, the district administration and police were informed, triggering a state-wide alert. The jail and its immediate vicinity have been cordoned off, and searches are being conducted in areas where the convicts might seek refuge. The objective is to apprehend them before they can evade capture entirely.
Law enforcement agencies in neighboring districts have been briefed, and checkpoints have been reinforced to prevent any movement out of the affected region. Enhanced surveillance is being implemented across potential escape routes. The incident raises serious questions about the security effectiveness at JP Jail, a facility equipped with advanced security measures, including a five-tier system and constant monitoring, and known for housing dangerous inmates. The escape is especially surprising following recent security upgrades and disciplinary actions against staff, pointing to a deep-seated issue that needs immediate resolution.