18 prisoners flee after attacking police in Haryana

PALWAL - Eighteen prisoners who were being brought here for a court hearing escaped Saturday after attacking the police party that was escorting them, the authorities said. Two were later re-arrested and raids are on to nab the other 16.

Fifty-one prisoners were being brought in a van to the court complex here from Bhondsi prison in Gurgaon district when they attacked the 15 police escorts with sharp-edged weapons.

In the melee, 16 prisoners managed to escape while four policemen suffered cuts and injuries.

The Haryana Police have launched a massive manhunt in Palwal town, 45 km from New Delhi, and in the neighbouring districts to track down the escaped prisoners.

Palwal police chief Sanjay Kumar told IANS that the incident seemed to be pre-planned, adding that teams have been sent to the neighbouring districts to track down those who had fled.

“Police have beefed up the security in the entire district, especially at border points and police check-posts. We are also taking the help of police from other districts of the state. We have provided them all the details of these criminals and we are in constant touch with them for any kind of input,” he said