KNZ NEWS DESK
NEW DELHI: After the dramatic escape of jailed Pakistani militanyt Naveed Jat from Srinagar’s SMHS hospital, where he was brought for a medical check-up, the J&K government has decided that the doctors at Srinagar Central Jail will only refer prisoners to the police hospital, where other doctors will take a call on whether they need to be referred further to SMHS Hospital for treatment.
Also, the state government, acting on the advice of the Union home ministry, has shifted 25 militants from Valley’s jails to prisons in the Jammu region. Nearly 16 of the 25 militants relocated since Jat’s escape are Pakistanis.
NIA, which is probing the LeT militant Jat’s escape amid a shootout that left 2 J&K police personnel dead, is expected to unravel the conspiracy angle and investigate how a “dreaded” militant like Jat managed to get “favourable” orders from jail authorities as well as doctors, said an officer.
Sources said the NIA will examine the role of jail doctors as Naveed, who was not suffering from any notable ailment, was referred by the jail doctors to SMHS for a check-up at short intervals. It will also probe the possible laxity on part of the jail authorities amid reports that he had meetings in jail with some accomplices arrested for facilitating his escape and also had access to a cellphone.
The NIA is expected to investigate the possible collusion on part of the jail doctors, particularly medical officer Dr Zeenat Nizami who referred Jat to SMHS hospital, as well as other members of the jail staff in his well-planned escape from the hospital’s out-patient department.
The home ministry, apart from ordering the NIA probe, has asked the J&K government to conduct a detailed inquiry into the events leading to his escape and submit a report in 15 days. It has also asked the state administration to take swift action to revamp the security of jails in J&K based on inputs given by the security agencies. The Centre has suggested that CRPF be involved in all aspects of jail security. (TOI)
