300 flee jail after attack in Naxalite bastion

Two years the Jehanabad jail break in Bihar, Naxalites broke free from a jail in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewara on Sunday.

Two years after Naxalites stormed the Jehanabad jail in Bihar where they freed at least 137 of their comrades, Naxalites managed to break free from a jail in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewara on Sunday evening after attacking prison guards. Of the 377 inmates in the jail, 300 are said to have fled, snatching weapons of prison guards.

Police sources said many of those who fled were Naxalites or Sangham members (sympathisers) awaiting trial. They said that no top Naxal leader was housed in the jail. Sources said the jail break was orchestrated by undertrials housed in the prison and an investigation is on to determine if they were helped by Naxalites from outside the jail.

“A group of inmates seem to have overpowered the prison guards. We will launch an investigation. Search parties are being rushed to the region,” said Chhattisgarh Home Minister Ramvichar Netam.

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The jailbreak took place around 5 pm after prison guards tried to intervene in a fight between some inmates. “The inmates in turn attacked the guards, injuring all three,” said Dantewara Jail Superintendent S K Tigga.

Authorities are trying to determine the exact number of Naxalites who managed to escape. “We first have to do a detailed check. Only then will we come to know who all have escaped,” said DIG (Prisons) P D Verma.

Sources said the incident was waiting to happen as the prison facility was extremely short-staffed. “We have a sanctioned staff strength of 19 officials. Of these, only three were on duty today,” Tigga said.

Security has been tightened as the prison is located just 5 km from Dantewara town. “Additional police forces have been rushed to the area. We hope to recapture most inmates soon,” said DGP Vishwaranjan.

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There are some 400 alleged Naxalite cadres, including sympathisers, lodged in different jails in Chhattisgarh.