Theni, Tamil Nadu: Seventeen prisoners lodged at the Theni sub-jail in Tamil Nadu escaped late on Monday night after allegedly attacking jail staff, triggering an extensive search operation across southern districts. Police have since caught four of the escapees, while efforts are on to nab the other 13, PTI reported
Officials said the inmates were housed together in a single cell. Jail personnel entered the enclosure after being told that one prisoner had fallen ill. The group allegedly assaulted the staff at that point and escaped from the facility.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari confirmed that combing teams had secured one fugitive. “One escaped prisoner has been arrested by police during combing operations,” he said, according to ANI.
Checkpoints, Special Teams Deployed
The escape prompted police to step up surveillance and vehicle checks in neighbouring Dindigul district, where checkpoints have been established at 16 locations. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar said 17 special teams had been constituted to pursue the absconding inmates.
Police in Dindigul, Madurai and Kerala’s Idukki district have been put on alert. Photographs of the escapees have also been shared with personnel involved in the search to speed up identification and arrests.
Three Staff Members Hurt
Thangapandi, a Grade II police personnel posted at the Theni district jail, suffered a head injury in the assault and was taken to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku. Two other jail police personnel received minor injuries, officials said.
A case has been registered in connection with the jailbreak, and investigators are examining the circumstances that allowed the inmates to overpower staff and flee. Combing operations remained underway to apprehend those still at large.
