Photo: Pixabay
Seven prisoners escape from jail by blinding guards with chilli powder
Seven prisoners awaiting trial hid chilli powder, salt and pepper in their cell and used it to blind guards as they made their escape.
Photo: Pixabay
Seven prisoners awaiting trial at a jail in Arunachal Pradesh, India, managed to escape on Sunday, 11 July. The prisoners pulled off their great escape by blinding prison guards with chilli powder and salt, according to local media reports.
CHILLI POWDER USED IN ESCAPE
The seven prisoners awaiting trial – Abhijit Gogoi, Taro Hamam, Kalom Apang, Talum Panying, Subash Mondal, Raja Tayeng and Dani Gamlina – prepared for the escape by hiding chilli powder and salt in their cell, according to NDTV.
At 18:30 on Sunday, when the cell was opened for dinner, the seven prisoners pounced. The Inspector General of Police, Chukhu Apa, said they suddenly attacked the guards by throwing salt and chilli and pepper powder into their eyes, according to Times of India.
At least five guards were injured in the brazen attack – one of them suffered a serious head injury after possibly being hit in the head with a heavy padlock. Apa added that the guard’s mobile phone was also snatched by the escapees.
Police launched a manhunt to recapture the suspects, with members deployed to all the likely exit points in the town. “An FIR was lodged against the seven and the police have launched a manhunt,” said Apa. “So far, no breakthrough has been made.”
“We should be able to round them up soon,” said Apa.
Tapang Tatak, the Pasighat Deputy Superintendent of Police, said it would be difficult for the prisoners to evade capture for long because of the stringent curfew in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic – from 15:00 until 5:00 – makes it difficult to flee from the town.
