Daijiworld Media Network - Theni

Theni, Oct 27: As many as 17 inmates escaped from a sub-jail in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district after allegedly assaulting a security guard on Monday night, prompting police to launch a statewide manhunt.

The incident occurred at the sub-jail in Thekkampatti village near Andipatti. According to officials, the inmates allegedly pretended to be injured and attacked a jail staff member when he approached them before fleeing.

Gr. II Police personnel Thangapandi, attached to the sub-jail, sustained a head injury during the incident. He was taken to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku for treatment.

The escaped inmates have been identified as Lingam, Raja Singandhar, Karuppasamy, Silambarasan, Tirupati, Menjisundaram, Sabari, Pon Muthu, Nijanth, Karthik Raja, Mugilan, Selva, Tarun, Rajkumar, Praveen, Muthu Elango and Rajuvin.

The Tamil Nadu Police has registered a case and formed special teams to trace the escapees. Four of the 17 inmates have already been apprehended, officials said.

Security has been tightened at checkpoints across the state, with vehicles being thoroughly checked. Surveillance has also been intensified in neighbouring districts, particularly Viluppuram, as several of the inmates are believed to be from the area.

Authorities in Idukki, Madurai and Dindigul districts have also been alerted. Images of the escaped inmates are being circulated among the public to assist the police in tracking them down.

“17 inmates have escaped from the Theni sub-jail. As a precaution, we have set up check posts at 16 locations in the neighbouring Dindigul district and are checking all vehicles,” Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar told ANI.

Police will investigate how the inmates managed to escape and whether there were any security lapses. Further action will be taken against those found responsible based on the findings of the investigation.