Meerut juvenile home back in news as two inmates escape

Meerut: The city’s juvenile home is back in the limelight as two inmates managed to escape on Tuesday morning. However, police was able to nab one of the escapees near Mohanpuri area after authorities informed them about the incident promptly.
The authorities are tight-lipped over the issue and did not divulge any reason how the incident happened.An official of the home said that the duo belonged from Bulandshahr and Sardhana tehsil, respectively. The district probation officer was unavailable for comment.
Vinod Kumar Singh, station house officer of Nauchandi Police station said, “We have not received any written complaint about the incident, but were informed over the phone that two inmates had escaped. Our teams immediately swung into action and nabbed one, while the other one is still at large.”
The home was recently in the news on August 22, when more than 200 inmates had gone on a rampage destroying property and had even injured a policeman. A contingent of rapid action force (RAF) was called in to restore order.
However, when TOI contacted residents of Gandhinagar Colony which is located near the home, shocking details came to light. “There had been instances when inmates are seen walking outside the gates. It’s no surprise that these two managed to escape,” said Manjusha Karnwal, a local resident.
“Last year, many of the inmates were consuming liquor and violently playing Holi outside the premises. Even the staff is hands in glove with them. There have been many instances when expensive cars come and fetch a few of the older boys. They sometimes return late at night and nobody stops them,” says Amit Rastogi, a resident.