The Moga district administration on Thursday formed a three-member committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the escape of 31 patients from a rehabilitation centre at Janer village late Wednesday evening.
Deputy commissioner Sagar Setia said that eight of the 31 patients were admitted under section 64-A of the NDPS Act, under which addicts volunteer for treatment.
Taking serious note of the incident, which indicates negligence and a major security lapse by the officials concerned, a panel comprising an additional deputy commissioner (general), superintendent of police (headquarters) and deputy medical commissioner has been constituted. Setia said that the panel has been directed to submit its report by Friday.
Officials said a group of patients admitted to the government-run rehabilitation centre escaped after breaking open the main gate’s lock.
A few staff members suffered injuries when they tried to stop the patients. Efforts are underway to trace them.
An argument over an unspecified issue between substance abuse rehabilitation patients reportedly escalated into a clash, prompting them to escape the facility, sources said.