Operation Haider: ‘Gangster will be nabbed soon’

Cuttack: Following escape of dreaded gangster Haider from the SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha Police has launched an operation to nab the absconder.

“We have found a clue and investigating into the matter basing on that Haider will be nabbed soon,” said Crime Branch ADG  Yeshwant Jethwa after a high-level meeting chaired by DGP Abhay to review the massive manhunt to nab the gangster.

He further said that five to six teams have been formed for the operation. The SP of all districts are on alert and all the railway stations, airports and bus terminals in the State are under surveillance to trace gangster Haider. Also, a strict vigil has been kept on bordering areas.

“Our chief motive is to nab the gangster. After that, the matter will be discussed with the jail authorities and a concrete step will be taken to avoid such incident in future,” Jethwa said.

As part of investigation, the police will record the statements of nurse and other staff of the SCB Hospital who had informed the police about Haider’s escape. The CCTV footage will also be examined that may give the probe teams a scoop to ascertain his whereabouts, the senior police officer further said.

He said that the shoot at first sight order has not been given to police.

Commissioner of Police Saumendra Priyadarshi and Central Range DIG JN Pankaj among others were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have suspended six police officials who were on duty at the SCB Hospital for treatment of Haider. However, many questions are still being raised on efficiency of Odisha Police following escape of Haider from the hospital during treatment. It is suspected that the gangster’s associates in Cuttack might have helped him to flee.

Sources also claimed that Haider was using a mobile phone while undergoing treatment at the hospital and the device is switched off since his escape.

The notorious gangster Suleiman Haider, who is sentenced to life in two criminal cases, had escaped from SCB Medical College & Hospital giving a slip to police on Saturday. He was last attended by the hospital nurse in the afternoon yesterday.

“One on-duty constable was found unconscious when I went inside the cabin to administer an injection to the patient yesterday evening. The patient was not there and persons who were inside the cabin had also left. When I asked the police about it, he was not in that condition to speak. When I repeated my questions, he simply said that the patient might have gone somewhere to visit,” said the Manasirani Pani, Staff Nurse, SCB Hospital.

Haider was admitted to the hospital on March 23 after being referred from the VIMSAR in Burla. He was undergoing treatment at Cabin No-5 of the SCB hospital’s surgery department.