Sri Vijaya Puram, July 27: An island-wide manhunt has been launched across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after two Myanmar nationals escaped from the Open Distress Camp at Prothrapur during the intervening night of July 25 and 26, prompting authorities to mobilise police, marine units and coastal security agencies in one of the largest coordinated search operations mounted in recent months.
The Andaman and Nicobar Police have issued a Wanted Alert and directed all police units and security agencies to maintain heightened vigilance while intensifying surveillance across vulnerable transit points. The operation has been expanded across the islands to prevent the escaped individuals from evading arrest or attempting to leave the Union Territory by sea.
Police identified the absconders as Aye Tun (44) and Wai Phyo (22), both Myanmar nationals. According to the police, both are approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, have wheatish complexions, black hair and black eyes, and speak Burmese.
Immediately after receiving information about the escape, South Andaman District Police launched a coordinated search operation involving district police units, the Police Marine Force (PMF) and other security agencies.
The search has been extended to ferry jetties, fish landing centres, bus terminals, market areas and coastal routes, with additional surveillance being maintained by the Indian Coast Guard and marine police to prevent any attempt by the escapees to move between islands or flee through maritime routes.
The escape has once again drawn attention to the Open Distress Camp at Prothrapur, a government-run supervised residential facility where foreign nationals are housed after completing prison sentences or while awaiting deportation, repatriation or completion of legal formalities. Unlike a conventional prison, the facility operates under a relatively less restrictive regime, although residents are not permitted to leave without authorisation. Escapes from the camp are treated as serious security breaches because many inmates remain under the custody of Indian authorities pending legal or diplomatic processes.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have, over the years, witnessed repeated instances of Myanmar nationals being intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard and local police after entering Indian waters illegally. Most are fishermen or migrants who drift into Indian waters or attempt irregular entry by sea. While some are prosecuted for offences under Indian law, others remain in government custody until their nationality is verified and arrangements for repatriation are completed through diplomatic channels.
Incidents involving escaped foreign nationals are relatively uncommon but invariably trigger large-scale multi-agency search operations because of the islands’ strategic location, porous coastline and proximity to international maritime routes. Security agencies generally treat such incidents with a high degree of urgency to prevent absconders from disappearing into remote coastal areas or attempting to leave Indian territory.
Police have appealed to fishermen, boat operators, coastal residents and members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any information regarding the whereabouts of the two escapees. Citizens have been advised not to approach or confront them but to inform the nearest police station or contact the police through the emergency helpline 112, mobile number 9474260666, or landline numbers 03192-250525 and 03192-236641.
The Andaman and Nicobar Police have also announced suitable rewards for information leading to the apprehension of the two Myanmar nationals.
Investigators are simultaneously examining how the two men managed to escape from the Open Distress Camp, whether any lapse in security facilitated the incident and whether they received assistance from any person outside the facility. The findings of that inquiry are expected to determine whether additional legal action or administrative measures are warranted.
