Arunachal: Undertrial prisoners attack jail guards, flee Pashighat Jail

PHASIGHAT: At least seven under-trial prisoners (UTPs) escaped from the jail in Pasighat of Arunachal Pradesh's East Siang district.

According to sources, the inmates escaped after hurling chilli, pepper powder and, salt at the guards manning the jail.

As many as five guards of the Pasighat jail were injured in the incident which took place Tuesday evening when the jail lockup was opened for serving dinner to the prisoners.

“Seven inmates attacked the guards by smearing chilli powder, pepper powder, and salt in their eyes,” said, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa.

Five guards were injured in the attack, with one of them suffering a serious head injury after being possibly struck by the cell's heavy lock.

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His mobile phone was also snatched away by the UTPs who escaped, Apa said.

Talking to the media, constable Kumar Rambali said that he was attacked while he was serving food to the prisoners.

Previously also the impolite behaviour of the inmates was reported to senior officials and judicial magistrates prior to this incident.

The police in East Siang district have rearrested one of the seven UTPs named Kalen Apang.  The other six are still on the run.

An FIR has been lodged against the seven and the police have launched a manhunt.

Information has also been shared with all police stations in Arunachal and Assam.

However, no breakthrough has been made yet,” Apa added.

Meanwhile, all possible exit points are cordoned off, and personnel of the district police and the Indian Reserve Battalion have launched a search operation to capture them.

These UTPs were charged with various offences, including murder, robbery, burglary, etc.

Kalen Apang, accused in two cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, registered at the Jengging police station in the district.

Apang was rearrested from Mebo area in East Siang with the help of the youths of Mirbuk village, said Pasighat PS OC Inspector Otu Gao.

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