Security guard suspended after inmate flees

BALURGHAT: In a significant move, the fugitive inmate's security guard Ajit Goswami has been directed to keep away from exercising all responsibilities following the alleged 'negligence of duty' being raised against him.

Notably the security measures of fugitive under-trial inmate Rafiqul Sheikh (35) were on the shoulders of Goswami. Sheikh fled from Raiganj super specialty hospital's washrrom by breaking its false ceiling on Wednesday night. Sheikh had been undergoing treatment there for abdominal pain.

Doctor had diagnosed him for Hernia operation.

North Dinajpur police chief, Anup Jaiswal informed that a DSP ranked officer has already been delivered a message for a thorough investigation against Goswami and report the same at the earliest if there was any negligence of duty.

According to him, the security guard has initially been asked to stay away from work until further order.

Police sources informed Rafiqul had been sentenced to jail custody since 2010 as his name was involved in several crime cases like burglary, murder, drug trafficking and many others. He hails from Malda's Kaliachak. Around 11 months ago, he had shifted from there to Raiganj Correctional Home.

High alert has immediately been issued throughout the entire district to trace him. NAKA checking has been on.

Neighbouring counterparts Malda and South Dinajpur have been requested to intimate district police headquarter of North Dinajpur if they get any

information on Rafiqul.

While interrogating other under-trial inmates closed to Rafiqul, they informed police that Rafiqul used a mobile phone while his stay in the correctional home. According to a police source, perhaps the mobile phone helped Raqiful to execute his plan to flee the hospital.

Goswami is being interrogated by police officials for

probable clues.