12 flee Nellai juvenile home, five nabbed

An official in the home said there were 32 inmates in there, aged up to 18, and were staying in two dormitories based on their age group. The boys who escaped were among the 17 staying in one of the dormitories. Around 11 pm on Tuesday, one of the boys complained of stomach pain and two others in the gang alerted the warden. As soon as the warden rushed to attend to the boy, four boys attacked him first and six others joined the assault later. 

The stomach pain drama was played out to make the warden visit the dormitory as he had the keys. The boys then grabbed the keys from him and assaulted another warden and an armed reserve policeman who was there on duty. They attacked them with small weapons and in the incident all three sustained severe injuries.

One of the boys rode the bike of a staff. Those who escaped are from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts. Police across the state have been alerted about the incident to nab those on the run. Those who have escaped include juveniles involved in grave offences such as murder. 

Deputy Director of Prisons Department, N Rathinam, Madurai, visited the home on Wednesday morning and conducted inquiries with the superintendent in-charge of the home, Dhanaseelan, and other staff. Melapalayam Police are investigating the incident. Warden Shanmugaraj and armed reserve policeman Arunachalam who suffered injuries were admitted in the Tirunelveli GH. 

Meanwhile, the Kovilpatti East Police learnt that a minor who had escaped from Tirunelveli was at Kovilpatti and launched a hunt for him. On seeing the policemen, he attempted suicide by slitting his throat. However, policemen prevented the bid and took him to hospital.