Dec 17: The epicentre of Maoist rebellion, Chhattisgarh, caught in complete disorder when around 4.35 p.m. on Sunday, 299 prisoners comprising 105 naxal activists broke out of Dantewada jail after overpowering the guards and fled away.
Three guards among five and two under trials were injured during clashes prior to the jailbreak. The deliberate strike took place around 4.35 pm when the prisoners were being served food, a naxalite commander Sujit Kumar overpowered a guard and snatched his weapon.
He then fired and injured three other guards, police official said. Naxalites snatched six rifles and a wireless set before escaping.
The jailbreak was “pre-meditated” organised by the undertrials, who were mostly naxal supporters, said Rahul Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Dantewada. State ADGP intelligence said that the prisoners clashed prior to the jailbreak.
Rahul Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Dantewada, said the jailbreak was a "pre-meditated conspiracy" hatched by the undertrials who were mostly Naxal supporters. State ADGP intelligence said that the inmates clashed prior to the jailbreak.
The police and prison authorities have launched a search operation to nab the inmate.
“It happened around 4.35 pm during the time when they were having food. Out of 377 prisoners, 299 escaped and three jawans injured. Two sympathisers were also injured in the fire,” Mr Sharma said.
“There was firing about 15-20 minutes in which two naxal supporters injured and rest managed to fly,” Mr Sharma said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described earlier these types of activities as the biggest internal security threat facing the country.
The Union Home Ministry advised states on Sunday night to improve security and surveillance in prisons reminding the escape of 299 prisoners from Dantewada jail in Chhattisgarh.
Union Home secretary Madhukar Gupta had spoken to Chhatisgarh Director General (Jaill) Sant Kumar Paswan about the incident, a Ministry spokesman said.
According to the Home Ministry, Maoist violence took toll of 950 last year, and 451 through the first half of this year. The Maoists a.k.a. Naxalites claims they are fighting on behalf of poor and their goal is to overthrow the state.
On November 29, in Dantewada district near Konta, 10 jawans were killed in a Naxal assault. The assault carried out just a day after one of Maoist leader Salvam Dula surrendered before the authorities.
In September CRPF’s 51 Battalion in Dantewada was attacked by the Naxalites and one month before that on August 29 at least 12 policemen were killed in Maoist attack in the same area.
Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh is considered highly sensitive Naxalite prone area throughout the country.
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