21 juveniles escape after attacking guards, breaking gate of observational home in Jharkhand

The escapees also vandalised the property and destroyed the CCTV cameras, police sources said, adding that four of the 21 have since been traced and returned.

“All 21 juveniles together escaped from the Chaibasa Observation Home, which is operated by the District Social Welfare Office, following an act of vandalism,” a statement from the state’s social welfare department said. “Upon receiving the information, immediate action was taken, and four juveniles have been traced and brought back to the facility. Efforts are ongoing to locate and return the remaining detainees.”

Significantly, Chaibasa is the district’s official headquarters and the residence of several senior officials, including the DIG and the Kolhan Divisional Commissioner.

While three of the four who returned were persuaded to do so by their parents, the fourth one was detained with the help of some locals, one officer said.

West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar told The Indian Express that investigation is underway.

“Since responsibility for overseeing and managing the centre lies with the Department of Social Welfare, they will provide an update on this matter. They have already initiated an inquiry and will share the details once it is completed. We are also doing our job,” he said, adding that a total of 85 juveniles are housed in the centres across Chaibasa and Saraikela districts.

Following the incident, Women and Child Welfare Department Director Samira S conducted an inspection.

Meanwhile, Babulal Marandi, former chief minister and the current leader of the Opposition, demanded a high-level investigation.

 “The primary purpose behind juvenile reformatory homes is to connect the misguided teenagers with the mainstream of the society, however the incident shows that the government is just doing a formality and being ignorant with security arrangements,” he said on X. “CM Hemant Soren Sir, all the absconding teenagers should be brought back as soon as possible and proper counseling should be arranged for them, otherwise they may become a threat to society.”