A prisoner identified as Sunil Jena of the Dharmasala area escaped from Khuntuni Ranibania Jail in Kataka district on Thursday afternoon, local reports said. Jena was serving a long-term sentence. Police have launched a search operation.
The incident was reported from the model convict prison located near Khuntuni in Athagada tehsil.
Officials have not yet released details on how the inmate left the facility or the exact time of the escape. Search teams have been deployed in and around the area.
The incident comes amid earlier concerns over prison security, including a high-profile jailbreak from Choudwar Circle Jail in October 2025.
