On February 27, 1995, nine LTTE militants made a daring escape from Madras Central Prison at around 10:15 p.m. The prison cells were left unlocked, allowing them to walk out easily. Once outside, the group split and fled in different directions. All nine were under detention for terrorism under the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA). The escape shocked Tamil Nadu and put the state on high alert. Police checked vehicles leaving Madras to catch the fugitives. Opposition parties criticized the ruling AIADMK government, with Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthi mocking that the militants were "honourably released following an understanding between the AIADMK and the militant outfit." The government took quick action. They transferred the Inspector General of Prisons and arrested five warders, who were then dismissed. Seven senior prison officers were suspended. A judicial inquiry was ordered under retired judge G Ramanujam to find out how the escape happened. Reports suggested prison staff might have helped, as the cells should have been locked by multiple warders but were not. The prisoners reportedly used bedsheets tied with a steel angle as ropes to scale the prison walls. There were no watch towers, making a lookout difficult. Three escapees boarded a train and bus but were caught near the Andhra Pradesh border. Two were arrested, while one swallowed cyanide and died to avoid capture. Another dead militant was found near the prison. Balan and Balendran, the arrested militants, revealed the first to climb the wall was injured and later took poison. How they got cyanide capsules and cash remains unknown. After the escape, other detainees were beaten by prison staff, leading to complaints and a court-ordered investigation. On March 14, angry inmates rioted, throwing objects from the terrace of their blocks. The protest lasted three hours. In a lighter moment, Balan and Balendran asked police for cigarettes to calm their grief over their comrade's death. Police gave them tea instead. This daring prison break highlighted security issues in Tamil Nadu and brought attention to LTTE's ongoing activities in the state.