Kalaburagi, 1 August

The Director General of Police (DGP) of the State Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, Alok Kumar, visited the Central Prison on the outskirts of Kalaburagi to inspect its security arrangements following the escape of inmates from the prison on 14 July.

During the inspection, Kumar and senior departmental officials examined the inmates' barracks, the prison walls, the barbed-wire fencing, and the locations where the prisoners had attempted to escape. He also gathered information on the matter from the officials.

Speaking to reporters later, the DGP said, "The department has taken the escape of three inmates from Kalaburagi very seriously. Two of them have already been recaptured. The third inmate, Mastan from Islampur village in Bidar district, is still absconding. Police officers are continuing their efforts to trace and arrest him."

He added, "Several staff members, including Chief Superintendent Rakesh Kamble, have already been suspended. I have instructed night-shift personnel to perform their duties with greater vigilance."

The DGP also stated, "A notification is expected to be issued on Monday for the recruitment of 867 new prison staff, of which 400 posts will be allocated to the Kalyana Karnataka region. However, it will take at least two years for the recruitment process to be completed. Until then, it has been decided to appoint 550 retired soldiers on a contractual basis.”