Theni prison break: How 17 undertrials overpowered jail guards and escaped
Four of the fugitives were rearrested during an overnight combing operation
A massive manhunt is underway across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states after 17 undertrial prisoners overpowered guards and escaped from the Theni sub-jail following a faked medical emergency. Four escapees have been recaptured during overnight operations, while special police teams and reinforced check posts work to apprehend the remaining fugitives. The violent incident resulted in severe injuries to a police constable and has triggered a high-level official investigation into the facility's security lapse.
A massive manhunt is underway across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states after 17 undertrial prisoners overpowered guards and escaped from the Theni sub-jail following a faked medical emergency. Four escapees have been recaptured during overnight operations, while special police teams and reinforced check posts work to apprehend the remaining fugitives. The violent incident resulted in severe injuries to a police constable and has triggered a high-level official investigation into the facility's security lapse.
A massive manhunt is underway across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states after 17 undertrial prisoners overpowered guards and escaped from the Theni sub-jail following a faked medical emergency. Four escapees have been recaptured during overnight operations, while special police teams and reinforced check posts work to apprehend the remaining fugitives. The violent incident resulted in severe injuries to a police constable and has triggered a high-level official investigation into the facility's security lapse.
A massive manhunt is underway in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states after 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from the Theni sub-jail in a coordinated prison break on Monday night. Four of them were rearrested during an overnight combing operation.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari said 17 special teams had been formed to apprehend the remaining fugitives.
According to an ANI report, the inmates raised an alarm on Monday night, claiming that one of the prisoners sharing their cell was unwell. When the guards opened the cell door, all 17 inmates allegedly launched a coordinated attack, overpowered the guards and fled the premises.
Grade II Police Constable Thangapandi, who sustained severe head injuries in the attack, was rushed to the Government Hospital at G. Vilakku. Two other police personnel sustained minor injuries.
Security has been tightened across Theni and neighbouring districts, with intensified checks at key locations. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar said 16 strategic check posts had been established across the district. Police have also stepped up vehicle checks in the region.
The police have circulated the identities and photographs of the escaped prisoners to all police stations in the region and to their counterparts in Idukki district in neighbouring Kerala.
The New Indian Express quoted a senior prison officer as saying that most of the escaped prisoners were from the Villapuram area of Madurai. Local police have been placed on high alert to intercept them if they attempt to return to their hometown.
Meanwhile, a high-level investigation has been launched into the security lapse at the Theni sub-jail.