Prisoners on tree attack wardens during rescue bid

Sources said the prisoner on remand, Kunjayee alias Deva (20) of Athur in Salem, who was caught for waylaying and theft, was dejected after none came to meet him. He then requested the prison authorities to move him to Salem prison. However, his request was declined. 

On Wednesday evening, Deva reportedly climbed atop a tree in the prison premises and demanded that he be shifted. Later, the prison wardens persuaded him to climb down.

After conducting an enquiry, prison officials found that another prisoner Deepak from Madurai, gave Deva the idea of climbing a tree. Subsequently, on Thursday, prison officials called Deepak for interrogation. On learning this, Deva and two other remand prisoners Bhoominathan (20) and Adhi Parameshwaran (20), both from Madurai, suddenly climbed atop the tree and raised slogans against the prison officials. They also threatened to commit suicide.

Soon, a group of prison wardens climbed the tree and rescued the trio. One of the wardens Shanmugam lost his grip and fell after the inmates attempted to push him. He fractured his hand. The inmates bit the legs of another warden Vinodh and he too was forced to climb down. 

Later, the prison officials pacified the inmates who climbed down at 3 pm.