Eight Flee Rehab Centre in Punjab, Attack Staff

Punjab In a dramatic and unsettling incident, eight individuals managed to escape from a drug de-addiction centre in Punjab after launching a violent attack on a nurse and a police constable. The escapees were inmates who had been sent from jail to the facility as part of their drug rehabilitation process. The shocking episode has raised serious concerns about the safety measures and staff protection within such institutions.

The incident took place at a government-approved rehabilitation centre where the inmates were undergoing treatment for substance abuse. According to eyewitness accounts and officials on duty, the escape was pre-planned. The group of men suddenly turned violent, attacking the on-duty nurse and an escorting police officer with makeshift weapons before fleeing the premises.

Both the nurse and the constable sustained injuries in the attack and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. While their condition is said to be stable, the trauma of the assault has deeply affected the staff and other patients at the centre. One of the employees shared, “It happened so fast. They seemed quiet for days, but yesterday they were aggressive, violent, and terrifying. We’re here to help them, but we never thought we’d be the ones needing protection.”

Police officials confirmed that the escaped individuals had a history of drug abuse and criminal activity. They were transferred from jail to the centre as part of a judicial rehabilitation initiative aimed at helping drug offenders recover and reintegrate into society. However, their violent behavior has now added fresh criminal charges to their record.

A statewide manhunt has been launched to track down the escapees, and security has been tightened in nearby towns and villages. Surveillance footage from the premises is being reviewed, and special teams have been assigned to gather intelligence from known associates of the fugitives.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the challenges faced by rehabilitation centres in Punjab, a state that has long been grappling with the drug crisis. Many of these centres are underfunded, understaffed, and unequipped to handle aggressive or criminal patients. The staff, while trained in basic medical care, are often unprepared for violent outbursts or coordinated attacks.

Health department authorities and law enforcement are now reviewing the standard operating procedures for admitting prisoners into rehab centres. There is increasing pressure from both the public and health workers to provide additional security and psychological support for staff working in such high-risk environments.

Families of other patients at the centre are now fearful, with some considering withdrawing their loved ones from treatment. “We came here for healing, not horror,” said a parent outside the centre. “If criminals can escape so easily, how can we feel safe?”

As investigations continue, officials have assured that those responsible will be re-arrested and prosecuted with strict charges. The nurse and constable are receiving medical care and counseling, while the administration evaluates steps to ensure such an incident does not happen again.