Theni (Tamil Nadu), Oct 27: Four of the 17 undertrial prisoners who escaped from the Thekkampatti jail near Andipatti in Tamil Nadu's Theni district on Monday night had been recaptured by Tuesday morning, police said, as 17 special teams continued combing operations for the remaining 13.
Source: IANS
According to police, the prisoners were all lodged in the same enclosure. Preliminary inquiries indicated that one prisoner pretended to suffer a seizure, drawing guards inside to provide first aid. The inmates then allegedly attacked the guards who came to help and fled together at around 10 pm, IANS reported.
Three prison personnel were injured in the assault. Grade II police personnel Thangapandi suffered a serious head injury and was rushed to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku, while two other officers sustained minor injuries, ANI reported.
Source: ANI via LatestLY
Southern Zone Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari, who visited the jail and questioned personnel, said police received information about the breakout at around 10.20 pm and that 17 special teams had been formed to track down the fugitives. Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gautham rushed to the jail after the alert and inspected the premises.
The first prisoner recaptured was Praveen, a resident of Perungudi in Madurai district, who was found in a forested area near the jail. Police said his questioning helped confirm the alleged seizure ruse used to lure the guards. On Tuesday morning, police apprehended Silambarasan, a resident of Devaram in Theni district, and two more escapees were subsequently caught, taking the total recaptured to four, IANS reported.
Neighbouring districts were placed on alert. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jayakumar said checkpoints had been set up at 16 locations in Dindigul district, with vehicle checks on the Dindigul-Theni highway, and alerts were sent to Madurai and Kerala's Idukki district. Photographs of the absconding inmates have been shared with nearby police stations.
Source: Jagran
A case has been registered and the investigation is underway. Investigators are questioning the recaptured prisoners to establish how the group coordinated the assault and managed to leave the premises, police said.