Jail Break / 17 Inmates Escape From Thekkampatti District Jail in Tamil Nadu's Theni; Four Recaptured
·1 hour ago·3 min read
Key Points
As many as 17 inmates escaped from the Thekkampatti district jail near Andipatti in Tamil Nadu's Theni district on Monday night after allegedly assaulting prison guards, triggering a search operation; police recaptured four of the escapees by Tuesday morning, while efforts continued to track down the remaining 13.
Theni, Oct 27: As many as 17 inmates escaped from the Thekkampatti district jail near Andipatti in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district on Monday night after allegedly assaulting prison guards, triggering a search operation.
Police recaptured four of the escapees by Tuesday morning, while efforts continued to track down the remaining 13.
Preliminary inquiries indicated that one prisoner pretended to suffer a seizure, drawing guards into the enclosure to provide first aid. The inmates allegedly attacked the guards who came to help and fled together, turning an apparent medical emergency into an escape attempt.
A prison guard injured in the assault was admitted to a hospital. Details of his condition were not immediately available in the account of the incident.
Police recaptured four of the escapees by Tuesday morning, while efforts continued to track down the remaining 13.
Preliminary inquiries indicated that one prisoner pretended to suffer a seizure, drawing guards into the enclosure to provide first aid. The inmates allegedly attacked the guards who came to help and fled together, turning an apparent medical emergency into an escape attempt.
A prison guard injured in the assault was admitted to a hospital. Details of his condition were not immediately available in the account of the incident.
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The breakout occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday. Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gautham rushed to the jail after being alerted and inspected the premises. Southern Zone Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari visited the prison and questioned personnel about the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Speaking to reporters, Bidari said police received information about the breakout around 10.20 p.m. Seventeen special teams had been constituted to track down the fugitives, and searches were underway across the district.
The first prisoner recaptured was Praveen, a resident of Perungudi in Madurai district. Police found him in a forested area near the jail and brought him back into custody.
Investigators questioned him about the escape plan and the destinations the prisoners intended to reach. According to police, his questioning revealed the alleged seizure ruse used to lure the guards. Officers continued their inquiries to establish how the prisoners coordinated the assault and managed to leave the premises.
Police apprehended Silambarasan, a resident of Devaram in Theni district, on Tuesday morning. Two other escapees, identified as Rajkumar and Raja Sikandar, were subsequently caught, taking the total number of prisoners recaptured to four.
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Speaking to reporters, Bidari said police received information about the breakout around 10.20 p.m. Seventeen special teams had been constituted to track down the fugitives, and searches were underway across the district.
The first prisoner recaptured was Praveen, a resident of Perungudi in Madurai district. Police found him in a forested area near the jail and brought him back into custody.
Investigators questioned him about the escape plan and the destinations the prisoners intended to reach. According to police, his questioning revealed the alleged seizure ruse used to lure the guards. Officers continued their inquiries to establish how the prisoners coordinated the assault and managed to leave the premises.
Police apprehended Silambarasan, a resident of Devaram in Theni district, on Tuesday morning. Two other escapees, identified as Rajkumar and Raja Sikandar, were subsequently caught, taking the total number of prisoners recaptured to four.
Also Read: Decomposed Body of Koraput Jail Warder Found in Government Quarter
Following the jailbreak, police stepped up vehicle checks across Theni district. Search teams also deployed sniffer dogs to track down the fugitives, with operations continuing in areas around the prison.
The Thekkampatti facility houses undertrial prisoners from Theni, Madurai and Dindigul, among other areas. Most of those who escaped were reportedly undertrials from Madurai district, while three were said to face detention under the Goondas Act.
The incident has raised concerns over security arrangements at the jail. Officers are examining the sequence of events as the search continues for the remaining prisoners.
(IANS)
The Thekkampatti facility houses undertrial prisoners from Theni, Madurai and Dindigul, among other areas. Most of those who escaped were reportedly undertrials from Madurai district, while three were said to face detention under the Goondas Act.
The incident has raised concerns over security arrangements at the jail. Officers are examining the sequence of events as the search continues for the remaining prisoners.
(IANS)
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