A massive manhunt is underway across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring districts after 17 remand prisoners escaped from the Theni sub-jail on Monday night. The inmates staged an illness before violently assaulting three prison personnel to execute the jailbreak. Four escaped prisoners have been apprehended, while 13 remain at large. Tamil Nadu Police have deployed drones and formed 17 special teams to track down the absconding undertrials. The state government suspended nine jail staff members over lapses. The incident sparked fierce political controversy, with opposition parties DMK and BJP attacking the TVK government and Chief Minister Vijay over administrative failure.