Seventeen prisoners escaped from Theni sub-jail in Tamil Nadu late Monday night after allegedly staging a medical emergency to draw prison personnel to their cell, assaulting them and fleeing. Police arrested one of the escapees during combing operations and launched a search for the remaining 16.
According to ANI, the inmates allegedly attacked prison personnel who entered their cell after receiving information that one prisoner was unwell. TOI reports that some inmates had allegedly feigned seizures to lure guards into helping them before attacking the staff.
How the inmates allegedly planned the escape
According to police, all 17 accused were lodged in the same cell at the Theni sub-jail. Prison personnel approached the cell after receiving information that one of the inmates was unwell.
The inmates allegedly assaulted the personnel when they entered and then escaped from the facility, reports TOI.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, including possible security lapses that may have allowed the inmates to escape.
Police arrest one inmate, form special teams
Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Vijayendra Bidari, confirmed to ANI that one of the escaped prisoners had been arrested during combing operations.
"One escaped prisoner has been arrested by police during combing operations," he said.
Police have formed 17 special teams to trace and apprehend the escapees. Officers are conducting intensive vehicle checks and monitoring routes that the fugitives may use to leave the area.
Photographs of the escaped accused have also been circulated among police personnel to help identify them.
Check posts set up in neighbouring districts
Authorities have stepped up security in neighbouring areas following the escape.
Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar told ANI that check posts had been established at 16 locations in the neighbouring Dindigul district as a precautionary measure.
Police in Madurai and Idukki were also alerted, with information about the escape shared across district lines to assist the search.
The Times of India separately reported that vehicle checks and surveillance had been intensified in Villupuram district amid concerns that some of the escapees could attempt to return to their hometowns.
Guard suffers head injury in alleged assault
Gr. II Police personnel Thangapandi, attached to the Theni district jail, sustained a head injury during the incident and was admitted to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku, according to the police report cited by ANI.
Two other jail police personnel also suffered minor injuries.
Theni Superintendent of Police KS Praveen Gowtham inspected the prison following the escape, according to The Times of India. Kandamanur police registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Investigation focuses on escape and security
Senior police and prison officials are examining the sequence of events leading to the escape and possible security lapses at the facility.
Police continue to search for the remaining fugitives, with vehicle checks, district alerts and the circulation of photographs forming part of the operation.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to trace the escaped inmates and establish how they managed to leave the jail.
Inputs from Agencies