Agartala: Dec 17. Seventy-seven days after a sensational jailbreak from Dharmanagar Sub-Jail, North Tripura Police on Wednesday arrested life-convict Sunil Debbarma, one of the six prisoners who had escaped in a filmy-style operation on October 1.
Addressing a press conference, North Tripura Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai said Sunil Debbarma (son of Sitaram Debbarma, resident of Melaghar, Sepahijala district) was serving a life sentence for murder. He was shifted from Amarpur Jail to Dharmanagar Sub-Jail in June–July this year and escaped on October 1. He was recently found undergoing treatment at Agartala GB Hospital under a fake identity, from where Sepahijala Police detained him and later handed him over to North District Police. He was brought to Dharmanagar Police Station early Wednesday morning.
SP Rai informed that out of the six escapees, four have now been arrested. Abdul Patta of Ranigram, Assam, was arrested within 12 hours of the jailbreak, while Narayan Chandra Dutta was caught within 48 hours while attempting to flee towards Bangladesh. Another accused, Md Rahim Ali of Churaibari, was arrested after ten days. Sunil Debbarma’s arrest came on the 77th day after the incident.
Two accused Roshan Ali of Kadamtala and Nizamuddin of North Phulbari under Churaibari Police Station are still absconding. “The incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. Search operations have been intensified not only within the district but across the state and outside as well. Joint surveillance with BSF is ongoing along border areas. We are confident of arresting the remaining accused soon,” SP Rai said.
The jailbreak took place in the early hours of October 1, coinciding with Maha Navami of Durga Puja, sending shockwaves across North Tripura. According to reports, six inmates escaped from Kalikapur-based Dharmanagar Sub-Jail after attacking jail guard Gedu Mia, seriously injuring him. The prisoners allegedly snatched the keys of Gate No. 1 and fled with sharp weapons, raising serious questions over jail security and alleged negligence by prison staff.
Following the incident, five jail officials, including the jailer, were suspended for dereliction of duty. The jailbreak sparked public outrage, especially at a time when police had intensified operations against crime in the district, bringing some relief to residents. The incident, however, exposed glaring lapses in prison security and law enforcement preparedness.
Police reiterated that operations are continuing at full throttle to nab the remaining fugitives and restore public confidence in the justice system.
