Bhopal prison break: NIA to investigate SIMI activists' international link, says CM Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said an NIA probe will be conducted into the prison break here to trace the possible international links of the eight SIMI activists killed in a police encounter hours after they escaped from Central Jail.

Also, the state government will carry out a separate investigation into the matter. “Taking the entire incident seriously, we have taken a decision for a probe by former DGP Nandan Dubey into it,” Chouhan told reporters here.

“A decision will (thereafter) be taken according to the findings. For this criminal negligence, if needed we will dismiss (the official or officials),” he said.

“Besides, I had a talk with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh because these terrorists have links not only in the state but in India and the world,” Chouhan said.

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“Therefore, this is not a case pertaining to the state. I spoke to Rajnath Singh and he also agreed that this incident should be probed by NIA to expose the entire links behind it,” the Chief Minister added. Soon after the jail break in the wee hours, four officers including the Prison DIG were suspended.

“The escape of terrorists from a jail is a serious matter. That is why we have taken a decision to suspend MP Prison Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal Central Jail Superintendent, Deputy Jail Superintendent and Assistant Jail Superintendent,” he added.

“Furthermore MP Prison Additional Director General (ADG) has been attached to the police headquarters,” Chouhan said.

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He said that ADG of MP Special Task Force, Sudhir Sahi has been given the charge of Prison ADG. The Chief Minister also congratulated Bhopal Police as well as the citizens for their swift action.

“We got the information (of the escape) around 3.15 AM. The moment we got the information, our police swung into action. Police, with the support of public for which I congratulate them, got to know their location and tracked them down and killed them in an encounter,” he said.

When he was asked how long did the encounter last between SIMI and police, Chouhan said the officials on the spot will come forth with the details later.

IG Yogesh Choudhary said the fleeing SIMI activists had weapons in possession and opened fire when confronted and the police fired in retaliation.

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On where the SIMI activists got their arms, the Chief Minister refused to comment and only offered a “Thank you”.

According to police, all the eight SIMI activists were killed by Bhopal Police at Malikheda on the city outskirts. The undertrials escaped around 2-3 AM after killing a jail security guard by scaling the prison wall with the help of bed sheets.

The activists were identified as—Amzad, Zakir Hussain Sadiq, Mohammad Salik, Mujeeb Shaikh, Mehbood Guddu, Mohammad Kalid Ahmed, Aqeel and Majid.

ALSO READ: (Watch: All 8 SIMI terrorists who fled Bhopal central jail killed in police encounter)