Seventeen inmates escaped from the Thekkampatti sub-jail in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district late Monday night after allegedly assaulting jail personnel, officials said. One of the escapees has since been arrested, while police have formed 17 special teams to track down the remaining prisoners.
South Zone Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari said the arrested inmate, who is from Madurai, was caught during combing operations in a forested area behind the
Gr. II police personnel Thangapandi, attached to the Theni district jail, sustained a head injury and was admitted to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku. Two other jail personnel also suffered minor injuries.
17 Teams Deployed, Checkpoints Set Up
Police have launched an intensive search operation to locate the remaining escapees, with security heightened across neighbouring districts.
Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar said checkpoints had been established at 16 locations in the neighbouring district as a precautionary measure. Vehicle checks have also been intensified along the Dindigul-Theni highway.
Police in Madurai, Dindigul and Idukki have been alerted, while photographs of the escaped inmates have been circulated among officials to help identify and apprehend them.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is under way.
