Theni Jailbreak: 13 Prisoners Caught; Hunt on for 4 in Theni, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari Dists
Police have intensified surveillance along the Tamil Nadu-Keralam border to prevent the remaining fugitives from crossing into the neighbouring state
THENI: A massive manhunt is under way across Theni, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts to trace the four prisoners still at large after 17 inmates escaped from the district jail at Thekkampatti, in Theni district, on Monday night. Thirteen of the escapees have been recaptured.
Police have intensified surveillance along the Tamil Nadu-Keralam border to prevent the remaining fugitives from crossing into the neighbouring state.
Twenty-five special police teams, each comprising five constables, have been formed to track down the escapees. Six deputy superintendents of police and 20 inspectors are supervising the operation, according to police sources.
Drones are being deployed to scan dense vegetation in the Western Ghats and remote forest areas where the fugitives are suspected to be hiding. Armed personnel have been posted at key inter-state check-posts, particularly in Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts, with round-the-clock vehicle checks to intercept the escapees.
Special teams are also searching bus terminals, railway stations and lodges to prevent the fugitives from using public transport or temporary accommodation to evade capture.
Director general of prisons and correctional services Sandeep Rai Rathore visited the Thekkampatti jail on Tuesday to review the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and inspect the security arrangements.
Following the inspection, he ordered the suspension of nine prison personnel for gross dereliction of duty and failure to follow standard operating procedures. Those suspended include two chief head warders, one grade I warder and six grade II warders.
The DGP (prisons) was accompanied by south zone inspector general of police Vijayendra Bidari, Madurai range deputy inspector general of police Abhinav Kumar, Madurai range deputy inspector general of prisons A. Murugesan, Madurai central prison superintendent R. Krishnaraj and Theni superintendent of police Praveen Gautham.