Chennai. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has taken strict action in the case of escape of 17 prisoners from Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni district of Tamil Nadu. After serious negligence in the security and monitoring of the jail came to light, Deputy Jail Superintendent N. Ramalingam has been dismissed from service. Apart from this, 17 jail employees have been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been ordered against them. The state government has also transferred senior officials of the jail administration.
Planned to escape by pretending to have an epileptic attack
This incident took place on the night of 26 October. According to the initial investigation of the police, the prisoners had prepared a plan in advance to leave the jail. He asked a prisoner to pretend to have an epileptic fit. On receiving information about his deteriorating health, when a security guard opened the door of the barrack and entered, the prisoners attacked him and overpowered him.
After this the prisoners took the keys of the main door of the jail in their possession and opened the gate and escaped. After leaving the jail, they ran towards the surrounding forests and hilly areas. According to the police, some prisoners used motorcycles on the way and also contacted people outside to get help.
Search using drones and special teams, all 17 arrested again
As soon as the information about the prisoners' escape was received, the police started a large-scale search operation. 17 special police teams along with units of Special Task Force and Tamil Nadu Special Police were deployed to nab them. The help of drones was taken for searching in forests and inaccessible areas.
The police captured all the 17 absconding prisoners at different stages. After presenting him in the court, he was again sent to judicial custody. Now the process of transferring them to different high-security jails of the state has been started.
Major reshuffle in jail administration
Chief Minister Vijay has given instructions to strengthen the security of jails and make strict arrangements for monitoring. Along with action against the Deputy Jail Superintendent, 17 employees have also been suspended. Earlier, Director General of Police, Jail and Correctional Services, Sandeep Rai Rathore has also been transferred.
The government has started a review of the security system by making changes in the responsibilities of senior jail officers. The Chief Minister has made it clear that negligence while on duty will not be tolerated in jails.
Second incident of escape from jail in a week
Before the Theni incident, two prisoners had also escaped from Puzhal high-security jail near Chennai on October 20. However, both were caught after a search operation. These continuous incidents have raised questions on the security arrangements of prisons in Tamil Nadu. The government is now taking steps to strengthen surveillance, security protocols and accountability of staff in the state's prisons.