Over 100 Naxals escape from Chhattisgarh jail

RAIPUR: In a daring jailbreak, 299 inmates, including 110 Naxal activists, escaped from the Dantewada jail in Chhattisgarh after prison guards were overpowered in a planned action. Three guards and two undertrials were injured in firing and clashes. As many as 377 inmates were in the district prison, located about 375 km from the state capital.

The incident happened at around 4.35 pm when the inmates were being served food. Naxalite commander Sujit Kumar overpowered a guard inside the prison, snatched his weapon and fired at and injured three other guards, Dantewada jail sources said.

Then the other inmates took control and made good their escape. The Naxals snatched six rifles and one wireless set before they fled.

Rahul Sharma, superintendent of police, Dantewada, said the jailbreak was a “pre-meditated conspiracy” hatched by the undertrials who were mostly Naxal supporters.

“It happened around 4.35 pm when they were eating. Out of 377 inmates, 299 escaped and three jawans were injured. Two sympathisers were also injured in the fire,” Mr Sharma said. The superintendent of police said they have launched a search operation and shifted the injured to the hospital.

“There was firing for about 15-20 minutes in which two supporters were injured and the rest managed to escape,” the Mr Sharma said.

On whether there was any security lapse, he said: “Guards were there, they fought back. But since the incident has happened, we have to admit that.”