Five escape from jail in Bihar

Patna, Dec 31 (IANS) Five inmates escaped from a jail in Bihar by scaling the prison wall, officials said on Saturday.

"Five prisoners have escaped from Buxar Central Jail taking advantage of darkness and dense fog late Friday night. Jail officials have recovered an iron rod, pipe and 'dhoti' from the site of the jail break," District Magistrate Raman Kumar said.

According to Superintendent of Police Upendra Sharma, those who escaped include Pradip Singh, who is convicted and sentenced to death.

His mercy petition is pending with the President.

Besides Singh, three of the other escapees were serving life sentences and the fifth a 10-year jail term.

"Raids are being conducted by three police teams in the district to nab all five," Sharma said.

Kumar said district borders have been sealed.

"We have asked police headquarters to alert other districts and also approached Uttar Pradesh police to arrest them," Sharma added.