Police shoots escaping prisoner

Cuddalore, Apr 8: An undertrial lodged in the Salem Central jail was shot dead at Vikravandi in Villippuram district last night when he attempted to escape from police custody.

According to police, a police team brought two undertrials lodged in Salem Central Prison - Ranganathan (45) and Bullet Nagarajan (43) - to courts at Egmore and Saidapet in Chennai. When returning to Salem, the bus stopped at Vikravandi, where removed their handcuffs so that the prisoners could eat and visit a toilet.

It was then both tried to escape after overpowering their guards.

The policemen threatened to shoot unless the prisoners gave themselves up. Nagarajan surrendered but Ranganathan did not forcing the police to open fire.

Constable Sivasankaran, who was injured, was admitted to Villippuram government hospital.

UNI