A Rohingya youth who escaped from a detention holding centre in Rajganj, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, on Sunday, 27 September 2026, was recaptured within hours — tracked down by a trained dog named Orlando borrowed from the Gorumara National Park. The fugitive, identified as Mohammad Soleiman, a resident of Myanmar, was found hiding in a tea garden near Panikauri intersection, approximately one kilometre from the holding centre.

How Soleiman Escaped

Soleiman had been lodged at the Rajganj holding centre after being arrested on 20 September 2025 as part of a group of four people detained from the New Jalpaiguri area on suspicion of being Rohingya nationals. On Sunday morning, he reportedly used a trip to the toilet as a pretext to slip away from surveillance, climbing over the holding centre wall and fleeing into the adjoining bushes. Security personnel realised the breach after a short interval and immediately alerted the Rajganj Police Station.

Orlando to the Rescue

Ground searches by police across multiple locations proved unsuccessful. Authorities then contacted the Jalpaiguri Wildlife Department through Malbazar Sub-District Police, requesting a trained tracker dog. The department deployed Orlando, a canine typically used for anti-poaching and surveillance operations inside Gorumara National Park. Following the scent from clothes worn by the escaped youth, Orlando led the search team directly to a tea garden adjacent to the Panikauri intersection, roughly a kilometre from the holding centre, where Soleiman was arrested after a brief search.

Forest Department's Role

Rajib Dey, District Assistant Forest Officer of the Jalpaiguri Wildlife Department, confirmed the dog's deployment. 'The Malbazar Sub District Police had asked us for a trained dog. We sent a trained dog. Our dog was able to track down the Rohingya youth who escaped from the holding centre. Our trained dog has been useful in police and administrative work. We are happy with this,' Dey said. Orlando has a track record of apprehending poachers within the national park; this marks a notable instance of his skills being applied to a law-enforcement operation beyond the forest boundary.

Security Lapses Under Scrutiny

The escape has triggered questions about the adequacy of security arrangements at the Rajganj holding centre. Police sources confirmed they are investigating how Soleiman managed to exit undetected from an active detention facility. Notably, this incident comes amid broader national concerns over the identification, detention, and repatriation of undocumented Rohingya nationals in India. The holding centre's protocols — particularly around prisoner movement during routine activities such as toilet breaks — are expected to be reviewed in the wake of the escape.