In a swift operation, Andhra Pradesh police have re-arrested two remand prisoners within 24 hours of their dramatic jailbreak from the Chodavaram Sub-Jail in the Anakapalli district. The prisoners, identified as Nakka Ravi Kumar and Bezawada Ramu, escaped on Friday after assaulting the jail's head warder, Veeraju, with a hammer.

The incident occurred near the jail kitchen when the prisoners were preparing food. According to reports, Ramu allegedly grabbed a hammer from the head-warder's table and launched a sudden attack on Veeraju. CCTV footage shows the prisoners running towards the officer, with one wielding the hammer and striking him repeatedly. During the assault, Ramu reportedly snatched the keys to the main gate from Veeraju's pocket, unlocked it, and fled the jail premises. Ravi Kumar, who initially claimed he was chasing Ramu to catch him, also disappeared. By the time other staff members were alerted, both prisoners had escaped. Veeraju sustained a head injury and was admitted to a government hospital in Chodavaram. His condition is now stable.

Nakka Ravi Kumar was in jail for allegedly misappropriating pension funds, while Bezawada Ramu faced theft charges. Kumar, a panchayat secretary, had been in remand since April. Ramu has six cases against him in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam.

The brazen escape, caught on CCTV, exposed lapses in jail security and raised concerns about prisoner monitoring. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the escape was pre-planned or opportunistic. A special team was formed to track down the fugitives. The Visakhapatnam City Task Force apprehended the escaped inmates near Gollalapalem Junction.

The incident sparked widespread concern and scrutiny of jail security protocols in Andhra Pradesh. The quick response and successful recapture of the prisoners, however, has been commended.