NEW DELHI, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen prisoners at a jail in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu escaped, prompting authorities to launch intensive search operations to trace them, police said Tuesday.
The inmates escaped Monday night after allegedly assaulting a police official at Thekkampatti sub-jail near Andipatti in Theni district, about 500 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
Police said they have recaptured five of the 17 prisoners.
The inmates allegedly staged a ruse, claiming one among them was having an epileptic seizure and needed medical help, to carry out the escape.
Authorities have suspended nine prison staff personnel for dereliction of duty. ■