News Desk: The Tamil Nadu government has temporarily shut down 11 petrol pumps operated by prison inmates following a series of prisoner escape incidents across the state. The decision comes amid growing concerns over prison security, while a viral video alleging torture inside a Theni jail has triggered a fresh controversy.
The closures follow separate escape incidents involving two prisoners from Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai, 17 inmates from a district jail in Theni and one prisoner from Coimbatore. Police have recaptured the escapees from Chennai and Theni, while the search for the Coimbatore prisoner is still underway.
The Theni incident took place on October 26, when 17 inmates allegedly attacked prison guards and escaped from the district jail at Thekkampatti, near Andipatti. Police managed to recapture them within 36 hours. During the operation, two inmates, Meenakshisundaram and his brother Tirupathi, who are from Madurai, were reportedly shot by police.
However, the incident took a fresh turn after a video statement by Meenakshisundaram surfaced on social media. In the video, he alleged that torture and poor-quality food inside the prison had forced the inmates to escape. He also claimed that repeated complaints to prison authorities had gone unanswered.
Appealing to the Chief Justice and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, he alleged that police had planned to kill him in an encounter. He further claimed that his brother had no connection with the escape incident. Meenakshisundaram also said he wanted to reform his life and return to his pregnant wife.
In another controversial claim, he alleged that 21 prisoners had escaped, contradicting the official figure of 17. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Following the incidents, the state government has tightened security arrangements across prisons and formed an inquiry committee to investigate the escapes and conditions inside the facilities.
As part of the precautionary measures, 11 fuel outlets operated by trained prison inmates in coordination with Indian Oil Corporation have been temporarily closed. The outlets were located near central prisons in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Vellore, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Palayamkottai, along with facilities in Pudukkottai.
Prison-run bazaars have also been shut temporarily.
According to officials, these fuel stations generated an estimated profit of ₹55 crore for the state exchequer between 2019 and March 2026.
Reader Comments 0