17 prisoners escape from Theni jail; nine prison guards suspended

Nine prison guards have been suspended following the escape of 17 prisoners from the Theni district jail at Thekkampatti near Andipatti on Monday night (October 26).
The jail, which has a sanctioned capacity of 200 inmates, was housing 334 prisoners at the time of the incident. All 17 escapees were lodged in the same cell.
According to sources, one of the inmates complained of a sudden illness on Monday night.
When prison guards opened the cell door and entered to attend to him, the inmates, who had allegedly concealed themselves inside, attacked the guards and fled from the jail.
One guard sustained a head injury, while two others were also injured in the attack. The injured personnel were admitted to Theni Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Following the escape, the police were alerted across Theni district, and a search operation was launched using photographs of the fugitives. Vehicle checks have been intensified along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border amid suspicion that some of the escapees might have fled to Kerala.
Police are also conducting searches at railway stations, bus stands, bus stops and other crowded public places across the district.
Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gowtham visited the jail and inspected the premises following the incident.
Prisons Director-General Sandeep Rai Rathore arrived in Madurai by air from Chennai on Tuesday morning to inspect the jail and review the circumstances surrounding the escape. He subsequently ordered the suspension of nine prison guards in connection with the incident.
Police personnel from neighbouring districts, including Dindigul and Madurai, have joined the search operation.
Initially, 17 special teams were formed to trace the escapees. The number was subsequently increased to 25 as the search was intensified. The teams, led by six Deputy Superintendents of Police and 20 Inspectors, are conducting searches across villages and other potential hideouts.
Security has also been stepped up in Madurai and Villupuram districts following reports that several of the escapees hail from these districts.
The mass escape has triggered concern across Tamil Nadu.
The incident is reported to be the largest prison escape in the State since 43 prisoners escaped from Vellore prison in 1995.