Daijiworld Media Network - Theni
Theni, Oct 27: Nine prison staff members have been suspended for dereliction of duty following the escape of undertrial prisoners from Theni sub-jail in Tamil Nadu, Director General of Police (Prisons) Sandeep Rai Rathore said on Tuesday.
“Nine prison staff are placed under suspension for lack of duty,” Rathore said while commenting on the incident.
A total of 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from the sub-jail at Thekkampatti in Andipatti on the night of October 26–27. One of the escapees was arrested earlier, while four others were subsequently apprehended during combing operations. Five prisoners have been arrested so far, and 12 remain at large.
Police have intensified the search, deploying drones and conducting intensive checks at bus stands across the Kavi Vilakku area. Combing operations and vehicle checks are underway to trace the remaining fugitives.
Rathore arrived at Madurai Airport from Chennai on Tuesday and proceeded to Theni sub-jail to investigate the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak. According to police, the inmates allegedly used a medical emergency as a pretext to make prison personnel open their shared cell. They then attacked the guards and fled the premises.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari confirmed that four prisoners had been arrested during search operations. He also announced the formation of 17 special teams to trace the remaining inmates.
Three prison personnel were injured in the incident. Grade II Police Constable Thangapandi sustained a head injury and was admitted to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku, while two other personnel suffered minor injuries.
Theni District Police released the names of the 16 escaped prisoners as Karuppasamy alias Mathan, Tharun Kumar, Rajkumar, Pandiselvam, Thiruppathi, Ponmuthuchelvan, Meenakshi Sundaram, Sabarinathan, Rejin, Nisanth, Muthu Ilangovan, Karthik Raja, Prasanth alias Linga Prasath, Raja Sikkandar, Silambarasan and Solai Mugilaeswaran.
Police have appealed to the public to share information about the fugitives with the Theni District Special Branch Office at 9498101570 or the Theni District Police Control Room at 9176104100.
Security has also been tightened in neighbouring districts. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar said check posts had been established at 16 locations in the district. Photographs of the fugitives have been circulated among police teams in Madurai, Dindigul and Idukki in neighbouring Kerala. Vehicle checks are also underway on key routes.
A case has been registered in connection with the jailbreak, and further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the escape and determine the role of those responsible.