T’puram: A former inmate allegedly assaulted an assistant prison officer and his wife at Chala Market on Saturday night before fleeing the scene, prompting Fort Police to launch a search for the accused.Police identified the accused as T S Ashish, who was recently released from jail. A case has been registered against him for allegedly attacking Prijith H Nair, of Menamkulam, and assaulting his wife when she tried to intervene.According to investigators, Ashish had earlier been arrested in connection with the assault of a doctor in Thiruvananthapuram and was remanded to prison, where Nair was posted. Police also said Ashish had previously been involved in incidents of attacking prison officials while lodged in jail.The incident occurred when Nair had gone to Chala Market with his family for shopping. Police said Ashish allegedly approached the officer and assaulted him in public. As Nair’s wife attempted to stop the attack, she was allegedly assaulted.The commotion drew the attention of shoppers and passers-by, who gathered at the spot. Taking advantage of the confusion, Ashish fled before police arrived.Nair and his wife sustained injuries in the attack and were shifted to a hospital for treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable.Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the attack and whether it was linked to Ashish’s earlier imprisonment.
