Expressing concern, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today directed the police to take all measures to re-arrest those who had fled.
Meanwhile, Lohit Deputy Commissioner R K Sharma has already ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident to be conducted by Tezu SDO (Sadar) M K Deori and the officer has been asked to submit the report within three days.
He has also directed SP and all administrative officers to be alert and to strengthen security of lock-ups in their respective jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, sources from Chowkham informed that the 18 prisoners have escaped into dense Manabhum forest.
The forest, spread in Lohit, Changlang, Tirap and Longding districts has been a safe haven for underground elements, who have been using it as an unhindered passage to cross over to neighbouring Myanmar after committing crime.
Terming the escape of the prisoners as a security lapse, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) president Kamta Lapung has called for immediate re-arrest of all those who have escaped.