MP Govt. rubbishes report of 80 'Praharis' guarding ex-ministers, officials instead of jails

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Nov. 4 (ANI): Amid stinging queries over security lapses in Bhopal Central Jail that "praharis" who are supposed to guard prison, are deputed to protect ex-ministers and prison officials, Madhya Pradesh Jail Minister Kusum Mehdele on Friday rubbished the claims, saying it is hard to believe that almost 80 'praharis' were deputed to protect the officials. "I think you are exaggerating the figure. This is just not possible. I have a driver and two people in my office, don't know about rest but cannot be what you are saying. Still I will investigate. I don't believe that the whole thing is totally right, that 80 guards are being deployed for guarding ex-ministers," she told ANI here. The Madhya Pradesh Government has ordered a judicial probe into the encounter of eight SIMI operatives, which escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail. Retired justice S.K. Pande will head the inquiry commission. The panel will probe the circumstances under which SIMI operatives escaped and the encounter in which they were killed by police. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had issued a notice to the state government yesterday seeking a detailed report on the encounter. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier announced a NIA probe into the incident. On the other hand, Home Minister Bhupendra Singh had said that there is no need of any probe into the encounter. Eight SIMI operatives had escaped on Sunday night from Bhopal central jail after killing security guard Ramashankar Yadav. They were gunned down later. Social activists and political parties have raised several questions regarding the incident. (ANI)