Theni (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 28 (ANI): Two brothers, Thirupathi and Meenakshi Sundaram, from Madurai have surrendered at the Cumbum Police Station in Tamil Nadu's Theni district following the escape of 17 inmates from the Theni district jail, police said.
According to Theni Police, the two brothers surrendered at the Cumbum police station as authorities continued to deal with the reported escape of the inmates from the district jail. The development comes amid efforts to trace those who escaped from custody.
Earlier on Tuesday, Police arrested 13 of the 17 inmates who escaped from the Theni district jail in Tamil Nadu, with drone surveillance and extensive search operations launched to track down the prisoners, officials said.
Prison DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore, who visited the district jail, said nine prison department officials had been suspended in connection with the incident.
He also said the Tamil Nadu Police had actively participated in the operation to apprehend the escaped inmates, with two teams working together.
"So far, 13 people have been arrested. Nine prison department officials have been suspended. The Tamil Nadu Police were actively involved in efforts to apprehend the escaped prisoners. Two teams were working together on the operation," Rathore told reporters.
Considering the highly forested and mountainous terrain surrounding the jail, police sealed all exit routes with armed checkposts and launched systematic combing operations after receiving information about the escape.
Bordering districts sealed their borders, while Kerala Police was alerted to check for the escaped inmates. Photographs and details of all the prisoners were made public to seek information from the public.
Police also covered railway tracks and railway stations to prevent the inmates from escaping through rail routes. Checks were conducted at airports, while surveillance was deployed at the residences of the accused and their relatives and friends.
Villages in the area were alerted, and forest guards and revenue officials were asked to assist in the search. Taxi stands, auto stands, and bus stands were also alerted to help track the escaped prisoners.
As part of the operation, 17 special teams were formed to conduct systematic searches across the area. Five Special Task Force (STF) teams were called in to comb the forest, while four Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) companies were deployed to assist in the operation.
With daylight, three specialised drones were deployed to track the escaped inmates. Officials said drone footage helped police cover large areas and pinpoint the prisoners' locations, assisting in their arrests.
The surrender of Thirupathi and Meenakshi Sundaram marks a development in the case. However, further details regarding the charges against the brothers, their connection to the other escaped inmates, and the circumstances that led them to surrender have not yet been provided by the police. (ANI)
Two brothers part of 17 inamtes that escaped Theni district jail in Tamil Nadu surrender at Cumbum
