Two Maoists shot dead in Jharkhand jail, 10 escape

Two hardcore Maoists were gunned down and three others suffered injuries when they tried to escape from Chaibasa jail while getting down from the prisoners’ van on Tuesday evening. Ten others, however, managed to flee.

The incident took place in Chaibasa district, nearly 200 km from Ranchi. According to Jharkhand police sources, 54 prisoners were taken to a local court on Tuesday for their appearance before the judge. After returning to jail premises, the inmates were getting down from the police van when 15 prisoners tried to escape by throwing chilli powder in the eyes of the police.

In the scuffle that followed, the jail guards fired on the escaping prisoners which led to the instant death of two Maoists. Three other prisoners, who sustained injuries, have been shifted to Sadar hospital where they are recuperating. The two killed have been identified as Tipa Das and Ram Vilas Tanti, both members of the CPI (Maoists). Meanwhile, as the news of the escape of 10 prisoners spread, the border of Chaibasa was sealed and a manhunt was launched.

Since the incident took place at about 4:30 pm, police had very little time to look for the ultras in the dusk. Secondly, most of the Maoists lodged in Chaibasa jail have been apprehended from Saranda forest (the main hideout of  the ultras in Jharkhand), they are familiar with the difficult terrain and could make an easy escape. 

“We have confirmed reports that two Maoists have been killed and three injured while trying to escape from Chaibasa jail. Ten others have managed to flee. The incident took place as the main gate of the jail was open after the prisoners’ van entered the jail premises. Prima facie, there appears to be a huge lapse on the part of the prison staff who left the gate open, thereby giving ample opportunity to the hardcore prisoners to flee,” said Jharkhand DGP Rajiv Kumar.