Seven prisoners escape jail in Arunachal Pradesh district

ITANAGAR: In a daring incident, seven Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs) escaped from a jail in Arunachal Pradesh by attacking and hurling chilly-salt and pepper powder at the guards manning the jail.

The incident took place at Pasighat jail in East Siang district on Sunday evening at around 6.20 PM, when the jail lock-up was opened for serving dinner to the prisoners, a top police official said here on Monday. Seven of the prisoners suddenly attacked the guards on duty by throwing chillies, pepper and salt on their eyes, noses and faces, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said.

The district jail had 94 prisoners in all.

The prisoners who escaped have been identified as Abhijit Gogoi, Taro Hamam, Kalom Apang, Talum Panying, Subhash Mandal, Raja Tayeng and Dani Gamlin. In the attack, Head Constable Rajesh Lego was badly injured on the head, possibly hit by the lock of the cell and his mobile phone was also snatched away by the fleeing prisoners. The other guards who received injuries include, head constables R K Kambhari, O Taying, Tago Tatung and Tapi Tali. All the injured 5 guards were taken for immediate medical check-up and have been given medication, police sources from the district informed.

"An FIR was lodged against all the escaped prisoners and police have launched a manhunt. So far no breakthrough has been made," Apa informed.

The IGP added that district police and IRBn personnel are conducting search operation and cordoning off all the possible exit points at 2 Mile, Raneghat, Sille, Ruksin, Mebo check-gates.

According to Pasighat Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tapang Tatak, the fleeing UTPs are likely to be re-arrested soon as the possibilities of them fleeing from the township is difficult in view of prevailing Covid curfew from 3 PM to 5 AM daily. Meanwhile, the IGP informed that an inquiry has been initiated against the incident and the guards if found involved in dereliction of duties, would be taken to task as per the law.

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