Tamil Nadu CM forms committee to review prison security after jailbreak
A high-level panel led by former DGP J.K. Tripathy will examine security infrastructure and manpower following the escape of 17 inmates.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has constituted a high-level committee to recommend measures to strengthen prison security across the state, according to The Hindu. The decision follows the escape of 17 remand prisoners from the Theni district jail on October 26.
The committee will be headed by former Director General of Police (DGP) J.K. Tripathy. Other members include K.
Shankar, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Prisons and Correctional Services, and S. Rajendran, former Deputy Inspector General of Prisons.
The panel is tasked with conducting a detailed enquiry into the security lapses that led to the escape. It will also examine security infrastructure, standard operating procedures, technological gaps, and manpower deployment in prisons.
The committee has been asked to study practices followed in other states and countries to prevent similar incidents. It will submit its recommendations to the government at the earliest.
The 17 prisoners were apprehended within 42 hours of their escape during a search operation involving police teams and drones. They were moved to Thekkampatti jail and will be shifted to central prisons in Palayamkottai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, and Salem.
Chief Minister Vijay has directed the prison department to strengthen security and warned that stringent action will be taken against those found guilty of dereliction of duty.