In a major jailbreak incident in Tamil Nadu, 17 inmates lodged at the Theni sub-jail escaped late Monday night after allegedly assaulting a police official.
One of the 17 inmates has been arrested. The police have formed 17 special teams to trace and nab the remaining 16 escapees. "One escaped prisoner has been arrested by police during combing operations," a police official said, as quoted by ANI. Security personnel have reportedly stepped up vehicle inspections following the incident. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar told ANI that check posts had been established at 16 locations across the neighbouring district as a precaution. According to police, all 17 accused persons were lodged in the same cell. They allegedly assaulted prison personnel when the latter entered the cell after receiving information that one of the inmates was unwell, before escaping from the jail. Grade II Police personnel Thangapandi, attached to the Theni district jail, sustained a head injury in the incident and was admitted to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku. Two other jail police personnel also sustained minor injuries, according to the police report. Following the escape, police in neighbouring districts were alerted and placed on high alert. Information about the incident was shared with the police in Idukki, Madurai and Dindigul districts, while photographs of the escaped accused were circulated among police officials to assist in their identification. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Police are continuing efforts to trace and apprehend the remaining escaped inmates.
