Bhubaneswar, 3 October (H.S.): In a major security lapse, two hardcore criminals escaped from Choudwar jail in Cuttack during the ongoing Dussehra celebrations, raising serious concerns over prison security in Odisha.

According to sources, the convicts, both hailing from Bihar, fled the facility around 1 am on Friday. Taking advantage of the absence of a warder on duty, they reportedly cut through their cell and managed to scale the jail walls to escape.

The duo had been arrested on January 4 in connection with a sensational robbery at the Panda Jewellery shop in Panikoili, Jajpur district. During the heist, the accused had allegedly opened fire inside the shop, leading to the deaths of two persons. However, local residents had managed to overpower the miscreants and hand them over to the police at the time.

Jail authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident to determine how the convicts breached security and whether external assistance was involved in their escape.

Notably, this is not the first time Choudwar jail has witnessed such incidents. In the past, under-trial prisoners have fled during medical treatment, and cases of suicide by inmates have also been reported.

No official statement has been released by jail authorities so far. The escape has once again highlighted serious gaps in security and supervision at one of Odisha’s largest prisons.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda