Six prisoners, including a murder convict escaped from Jowai district prison and correctional home in West Jaiñtia Hills after overpowering prison staff and an armed police constable today.
The escapees included two murder accused – I Love You Talang and Ramesh Dkhar, who were arrested on charges murdering two taxi drivers last month. The other escapees included three under-trial prisoners – Lodestar Tang, Shidorki Dkhar and Rikmenlang Lamare.
The convict who also broke out of prison with the others is Marsanki Tariang. He was convicted for the murder of his wife Marsooki Tang by setting her on fire at their residence at Ïooksipriang village, West Jaiñtia Hills on March 19, 2015. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in Jowai on November 5, 2021.
Inspector General of Prisons, J.F.K.Marak said the incident occurred at around 1.30 pm when the six prisoners overpowered and attacked four prison staff, including head warder and one armed police constable with a sharp object.
He said the armed police constable, who had fired in the air to scare the fleeing prisoners, was stabbed on the head with a sharp object before they made good their escape. The injured police constable and one prison staff has been admitted at Ialong Civil hospital.
This is the second jailbreak incident in Jowai district jail after a murder convict, Shiningstar Pala had escaped on June 22. Three days later, he was captured by the police with the help of his relatives.
Meanwhile, prison authorities have lodged an FIR regarding the incident, while police have launched a manhunt to nab the escapees.
In a press release, West Jaiñtia Hills police have urged the public to inform the Additional Superintendent of Police (7005686668), Deputy Superintendent of Police Crime at 8132097333, officer in charge Jowai police station (98630-66563) and Jowai PCR (9774065467/03652220782), if the escapees were detected.
