Owaisi raises doubts over Bhopal encounter, demands SC-monitored probe

Hyderabad [India], Oct. 31 (ANI): Raising doubts over the Bhopal encounter, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday wondered as to how the eight under-trials managed to escape from a high security central prison and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter. "There is huge discrepancy in what the Home Minister and the police officials are saying. The Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh says that these under trials were armed with spoons and the Madhya Pradesh ATS could have easily overpowered them because an ATS has all sophisticated weapons and they could have easily arrested them and convicted them," Owaisi told the media. "What is surprising and perplexing to me is that these under trial prisoners were fully clothed and were wearing shoes.they had watches and bands on their wrists, they had belts on their trousers. As an under trial, these things are not given," he added. Expressing surprise that the eight SIMI terrorists, who fled from the Bhopal Central Jail and killed a guard, had only spoons in their possession, Owaisi demanded a proper and independent investigation into the matter. "The people, who have run away from prison after assassinating a guard, had only spoons in their possession. So, this is unbelievable to any normal person. That is why I am of the opinion that a proper and independent investigation has to be done to find out how did these accused flee from a high security central prison. I feel an enquiry by the Supreme Court would unravel all the weaknesses and any steps which have been taken to not to bring the whole facts out of it. It is high time that all terrorist related cases are dealt in a time-bound manner," he added. Eight SIMI terrorists fled from the Bhopal Central Jail after killing security guard Ramashankar Yadav. Earlier today, the encounter took place under Gunga Police Station area, about 10 kilometres from the central jail. According to reports, the encounter followed information given by local villagers, who first sighted them. According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists' hurled stones on the villagers and police before being gunned down in the encounter. IG Bhopal (Range) Yogesh Chaudhry said that these terrorist had weapons with them and they were killed in cross-firing. Five officers of the Central Bhopal Jail including the Jail Superintendent were suspended after the incident. Meanwhile, the Centre has sought a report from the Madhya Pradesh Government over the jail break incident. (ANI)