A daring jailbreak in Tripura’s Dharmanagar sub-jail saw six inmates escape on October 1. Two fugitives have been recaptured, five prison officials suspended, and concerns raised over repeated security lapses in correctional facilities across the state.
Six inmates staged a daring escape from the Dharmanagar sub-jail in North Tripura on October 1. The jailbreak, which unfolded in broad daylight, not only stunned the local administration but also exposed glaring lapses in security management inside correctional facilities.
According to reports, the incident occurred in the morning hours when the prisoners were escorted out for breakfast and daily ablutions. Seizing the opportunity, the inmates armed themselves with sharp weapons, attacked an on-duty guard, and fled the premises. The injured jail staff member was immediately rushed to the North Tripura District Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The escapees were later identified as Abdul Pata, Rahim Ali, Narayan Chandra Dutta, Rosan Ali, Nazim Uddin, and Sunil Debbarma. Among them, five were undertrial prisoners, while Dutta, a Bangladeshi national, was serving a life sentence for raping a minor. His presence in the group of fugitives has particularly alarmed security agencies due to his criminal background and cross-border links.
Daring Escape Captured on CCTV
The entire sequence of events was captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the jail. Video clips of the incident quickly circulated on social media, leaving the public stunned by the sheer audacity of the inmates. The footage showed how minimal security arrangements inside the sub-jail allowed the prisoners to overpower the guard with relative ease.
Civil society groups, local leaders, and opposition parties have all raised questions about the administration’s negligence and the lack of preparedness to prevent such incidents. The episode has now sparked a larger debate on the fragile state of prison security across Tripura.
Swift Police Action
Despite the daring escape, law enforcement agencies moved quickly to track down the fugitives. Within hours, one of the escapees, Abdul Pata, was apprehended by police teams the very same night. The following day, Narayan Chandra Dutta was captured near Malakar Basti, a location close to the international border with Bangladesh.
Superintendent of Police Avinas Rai confirmed that Dutta was possibly trying to cross over into Bangladesh with the assistance of a tout. The suspected tout has also been detained for questioning. “Multiple police teams are conducting raids across various locations. Two of the escapees are already in custody, and operations are underway to nab the remaining fugitives,” the SP said.
Accountability and Suspension of Jail Staff
In the wake of the jailbreak, the Directorate of Prisons took swift disciplinary action against those responsible for maintaining security inside the Dharmanagar sub-jail. Five officials, including Jailor Dhananjoy Bhattacharya and warders Pallab Kanti Bhowmik, Prashikhan Jamatia, Mohammad Gedu Mia, and Notan Lodh, have been suspended for negligence of duty.
Authorities have emphasized that strict disciplinary measures will follow, as the incident could have had far more serious consequences had the fugitives not been intercepted in time.
Pattern of Jailbreaks in Tripura
This latest jailbreak has once again highlighted a recurring pattern of security breaches across Tripura’s correctional homes. In recent years, multiple incidents have raised alarms about the poor management and internal administration of jails in the state.
In 2024, a convicted cadre of the now-disbanded National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) escaped from the Central Correctional Home in Bishalgarh. Similarly, in 2022, three undertrial militants managed to break free from Kanchanpur sub-jail. With 12 operational jails across Tripura, experts are now questioning whether the infrastructure and security arrangements are sufficient to prevent further lapses.
Broader Concerns
Observers argue that prison reforms in Tripura have remained stagnant for years, with overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate monitoring leaving gaps in security. The Dharmanagar jailbreak may serve as a turning point, compelling the state government to reassess its policies on prison management.
| Also Read: Tripura jailbreak: 1 fugitive caught, 5 still on the run |
| Also Read: Tripura prison break: 6 inmates on the run, BSF on high alert |
As of now, four of the six escapees remain on the run, and security forces are on high alert, particularly along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border. The government has assured the public that all possible measures are being taken to capture the remaining fugitives and restore confidence in the state’s correctional system.
