One of the escaped prisoners was found dead in a nearby lake after an intensive manhunt. The discovery has raised more questions than answers, deepening the mystery surrounding the escape and the prisoner’s tragic demise. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and triggered an investigation into how such a breach in security occurred.
The Jailbreak Incident
The jailbreak occurred on the night of October 13, 2024, at Morigaon District Jail, a medium-security facility located approximately 80 kilometers east of Guwahati. According to initial reports, four inmates managed to escape by breaking through a window in the prison’s bathroom area. The exact method of escape remains unclear, but early investigations suggest that the prisoners may have used makeshift tools to saw through the iron bars of the window.
Authorities were alerted to the escape shortly after midnight when a routine security check revealed the prisoners were missing. A full-scale manhunt was launched immediately, involving the Assam police, special forces, and local search teams. Roadblocks were set up in various locations, and search operations extended to nearby villages, forests, and water bodies.
The police identified the escaped inmates as individuals facing charges of theft, robbery, and drug trafficking. Among them was 35-year-old Anwar Hussain, who had been arrested in 2023 on multiple charges of robbery and assault. His criminal record, combined with the dangerous nature of the other fugitives, made the jailbreak a matter of urgent concern for law enforcement.
The Grim Discovery
Two days after the escape, on the morning of October 15, locals from a village near the Dighalipukhuri Lake, around 10 kilometers from the jail, stumbled upon a body floating in the lake. Fearing the worst, they immediately informed the police, who arrived at the scene and confirmed the body was that of Anwar Hussain, one of the escaped prisoners. Hussain’s body was retrieved from the water and sent for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Initial reports from law enforcement officials indicate that Hussain may have drowned while attempting to evade capture. However, investigators are not ruling out foul play. The circumstances of his death have raised suspicions, given the high-profile nature of the jailbreak and Hussain’s criminal background. Local authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness, promising a thorough investigation to determine whether Hussain’s death was an accident, a result of internal conflict among the escaped prisoners, or something more sinister.
Superintendent of Police for Morigaon district, Aparna Rai, said, “While it appears that Anwar Hussain drowned in the lake, we are conducting a detailed investigation to explore all possibilities. We will not leave any stone unturned in finding out the truth behind this death.”
Ongoing Search for the Remaining Fugitives
With one of the fugitives now dead, the police continue to search for the remaining three escaped prisoners. Despite the discovery of Hussain’s body, the others remain at large, and authorities believe they may be hiding in the surrounding rural areas, possibly receiving assistance from local contacts. Police have stepped up search efforts, with drones and sniffer dogs deployed to cover the dense forests and marshy areas that provide natural cover.
The jailbreak has heightened concerns about prison security in Assam, with critics pointing to long-standing issues like overcrowding, understaffing, and poor infrastructure. Morigaon Jail, like many district jails across the country, was not equipped with modern surveillance systems, which allowed the prisoners to execute their escape with relative ease.
Reactions and Public Outcry
The news of Hussain’s death has shocked the local community, as well as people across Assam. The jailbreak, followed by the discovery of the body, has dominated headlines and led to widespread public discourse about the state of the prison system in the region. Activists have called for immediate reforms, citing the need for increased security measures and better prisoner management to prevent such incidents in the future.
Local residents, already troubled by rising crime rates, expressed concern over how the prisoners managed to escape in the first place. “This is deeply unsettling. If prisoners can escape so easily, how are we supposed to feel safe?” asked Rafiq Ahmed, a shopkeeper from Morigaon town.
The Road Ahead
As investigations continue into the jailbreak and Hussain’s death, authorities are also focusing on ensuring that the remaining escapees are apprehended as soon as possible. Assam’s Home Minister, Atul Bora, has promised a complete overhaul of prison security in the state, vowing to prevent further incidents of this nature.
The case is likely to remain in the spotlight as police work to piece together what led to the tragic outcome and whether foul play was involved. For now, Morigaon is left grappling with the aftermath of a jailbreak that has not only shaken the local administration but also highlighted the fragility of the state’s criminal justice system.