Sri Vijaya Puram, August 11: Two Myanmar nationals who escaped from the Open Distress Camp (ODC) at Prothrapur during the intervening night of July 25 and 26 have been apprehended following a sustained search by the South Andaman District Police and India Reserve Battalion (IRBn), bringing an island-wide manhunt to an end.
The escape triggered an immediate search operation, with police teams deployed across Prothrapur and adjoining areas. The Andaman and Nicobar Police mobilised available resources and conducted extensive combing operations as multiple teams worked round the clock to locate the two men.
The escapees were identified as Aye Tun, 44, and Wai Phyo, 22, both Myanmar nationals. Following the incident, the police issued a Wanted Alert and directed police units and security agencies to maintain heightened vigilance and intensify surveillance at vulnerable transit points.
The search extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the camp. Police and other security personnel maintained surveillance around ferry jetties, fish landing centres, bus terminals, market areas and coastal routes. The search also involved the Police Marine Force and other security agencies, with marine and coastal surveillance intended to prevent any attempt by the escapees to move between islands or leave the Union Territory through maritime routes.
The coordinated operation eventually resulted in the apprehension of both individuals through the efforts of the South Andaman District Police and IRBn. Police said information provided by residents of Prothrapur, Beodnabad, Burmanallah and Chidiyatapu contributed significantly to tracing the escapees.
The police have acknowledged the assistance extended by local residents and participating agencies during the search. Members of the public who supported the operation will be given an appropriate cash reward, according to the police.
The apprehended individuals are now being dealt with in accordance with the provisions of law, while further legal proceedings remain under process.
The circumstances surrounding the escape had also prompted scrutiny of the security arrangements at the Open Distress Camp. The facility is a government-run supervised residential centre where foreign nationals are housed after completing prison sentences or while awaiting deportation, repatriation or completion of legal formalities. Residents are not permitted to leave the facility without authorisation.
Following the escape, police appealed to fishermen, boat operators, coastal residents and members of the public to remain vigilant and report information concerning the whereabouts of the two men. The police had also advised members of the public not to approach or confront them.
Information relating to crimes or other illegal activities can be shared with the police through emergency number 112, mobile number 9474260666, or landline numbers 03192-250525 and 03192-236641. The police said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
The entire search operation was supervised by Inspector Samsuddin, Station House Officer, Police Station Pahargaon, under the command of Deepender Kumar Singh, DANIPS, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, South Andaman. The South Andaman District Police has reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order and acting against illegal activities within its jurisdiction.
