A fresh security breach has been reported from the Juvenile Observation Home in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, where 13 juveniles escaped after breaking open a dilapidated door, barely three weeks after an earlier jailbreak at the same facility. Authorities said the latest incident occurred on the night of July 14, raising serious concerns over security arrangements and infrastructure at the state-run correctional institution.

According to police, the escaped juveniles were lodged in connection with serious criminal cases, including murder, rape, robbery and theft. Following the incident, police launched an overnight search operation and managed to apprehend two of the escapees, while efforts are continuing to trace the remaining 11 juveniles.

Second Escape in 21 Days

The latest escape comes less than a month after 11 juveniles fled the same observation home on June 24 by breaking a window grille during heavy rain and a power outage. All 11 were subsequently tracked down and taken back into custody.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the alleged mastermind behind the latest jailbreak is the same juvenile who had allegedly planned the June 24 escape. After being recaptured in the earlier incident, he was returned to the facility, where he is now accused of organising another coordinated escape involving both previously detained and newly admitted juveniles.

Door Broken After Dinner

Observation Home in-charge Shama Noori said the juveniles were served dinner at around 8 pm before returning to their rooms. Investigators believe they took advantage of an old and weakened door inside the barrack, broke it open and escaped from the premises.

Officials said the escape appears to have been pre-planned, with the accused exploiting structural weaknesses in the facility rather than overpowering staff.

Security Concerns Under Spotlight

The repeated breaches have intensified scrutiny of security arrangements at the Ambikapur Juvenile Observation Home.

Shama Noori said the administration had already approached the district police seeking additional security personnel before the latest incident. According to her, the proposal received in-principle approval, and reinforcement of security is expected soon.

She added that repair work is currently underway, with authorities welding doors, windows and other vulnerable entry points to strengthen the facility against future escape attempts.

Police Launch Massive Search

Gandhinagar police registered the incident immediately after receiving information from the observation home.

Station House Officer Praveen Kumar Dwivedi confirmed that two juveniles had been detained shortly after the escape. Search teams have been deployed across Ambikapur and adjoining districts, with surveillance intensified at bus terminals, railway stations and other transit points.

Police have also alerted authorities in Surguja, Surajpur and Korea districts, as several of the absconding juveniles belong to these areas.

Officials expressed confidence that the remaining escapees would be traced and brought back into custody at the earliest.

Incident Follows Bilaspur Juvenile Home Murder

The latest escape comes days after another serious incident involving a juvenile correctional facility in Chhattisgarh.

Recently, four juveniles escaped from a juvenile home in Bilaspur after allegedly murdering a security guard. Investigators said the accused, who were lodged in connection with serious offences, allegedly tied the guard's hands and legs, strangled him and fled from the premises.

The back-to-back incidents have sparked fresh debate over the safety, supervision and infrastructure of juvenile correctional institutions in the state.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the Ambikapur jailbreak to determine whether there were lapses in security protocols or administrative negligence. The findings are expected to guide further action aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.