18 prisoners escape from police custody in Arunachal

18 under trial prisoners, all Chakma refugees, escaped from police custody by breaking a wall at Chowkham police outpost in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit district today.

The prisoners, fifteen of whom were accused in rape case and arrested couple of months back, escaped by breaking the wall in the wee hours today, police said.

While a massive search operation has been launched to nab the accused, police did not rule out security lapses and said departmental action will be taken against the security personnel for dereliction of duties.

Meanwhile, Lohit district deputy commissioner R K Sharma has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident.
 

The enquiry would be conducted by SDO (headquarters) M K Deori and he has been asked to submit the report within three days.