Two committees begin investigation

A three-member probe committee, formed by the prison authorities, has started investigation inside the Chattogram Central Jail from yesterday morning to find out how a murder accused inmate "escaped" from jail.

The committee also engaged firefighters to conduct a search to find out the possible hiding places on jail premises.

"Three units of firefighters have been conducting the operation," said Jane Alam, deputy director of Chattogram fire service headquarters.

The probe committee headed by Deputy Inspector General Sagir Mia (Khulna prisons) reached the Chattogram jail at 9:30am.

They spoke to prison officials and visited ward-15 of Karnaphuli Bhaban in the prison from where inmate Farhad Hossain Rubel "escaped" on Saturday morning.

"Firefighters are searching sewerage and water lines, septic tanks and other places inside the prison. Following their findings, we will be able to get a more conclusive report," said Sagir Mia, head of the committee.

"We are also checking the CCTV footage. [In the footage] we saw Rubel coming out of the building in the morning. After scrutinising all the footage, we will be able to understand the situation better," he added.

The DIG said they will also quiz the four prison staffers including the jailer -- who were withdrawn and suspended after the incident.

Another three-member probe committee formed by Chattogram District Administration visited the jail yesterday.

Speaking with journalists at jail gate, additional district magistrate Sumoni Akhter, who is leading the committee, said, they will try to submit findings by three working days.

On February 5, a businessman was stabbed to death by criminals in SRB Gate area of the city. Rubel was arrested in this connection on February 9 after the victim's mother filed a case.