Two years on, 345 prisoners who fled Sherpur jail still at large

It has been two years since the attack, arson and looting at Sherpur District Jail, but 345 prisoners are yet to be found. On August 5, 2024, the day of the mass uprising, 518 prisoners escaped after the jail was broken into. On the same day, 1,143 rounds of ammunition that were looted also remain untraced.

According to district jail and local sources, after news of the government change spread, a brutal attack was carried out on Sherpur District Jail around 4pm on August 5, 2024. At that time, thousands of miscreants armed with local weapons attacked the district jail located at Kaliganj intersection in the municipal area.

The attack was first launched on jail officials and employees, who ran in panic to save their lives. The miscreants then broke down the main gate and entered the jail premises. They broke open the prisoners' wards and brought out the convicted inmates. During this time, 518 prisoners fled. The miscreants then set fire to various wards, important documents, structures and vehicles and began looting. They looted nine firearms, 1,175 rounds of ammunition — including 864 rounds for Chinese rifles and 336 for shotguns — along with cash.

Later, police and other law enforcement members arrested 173 people, including 10 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment. While the nine looted firearms have been recovered, 1,143 rounds of ammunition are still missing. Only 32 rounds have been recovered.

Regarding the matter, lawyer and human rights activist Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem of Sherpur District and Sessions Judge's Court said the absconders should be brought under the law quickly. Otherwise, unrest and fear in society will not diminish.

Jailer Md Abdus Selim said 173 absconding prisoners, including 10 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment, have been handed over to jail authorities through the court after arrest. A total of 345 prisoners, including 70-80 convicts serving various sentences, are still at large.

Sherpur Jail Superintendent Shah Rafiqul Islam said all lost weapons have been recovered. Of the 1,175 rounds of ammunition lost, only 32 have been found. The number of missing rounds stands at 1,143.

Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) for Sherpur, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, told journalists that district police and other law enforcement members have been able to arrest 173 people and recover nine weapons and some ammunition. Efforts to recover the remaining ammunition and arrest the remaining accused are ongoing.