New Delhi, July 25 -- Rape and murder accused Govindachamy escaped from the Central Prison in Kannur, Kerala, on Friday morning.

"Details surrounding the jailbreak are still emerging. A massive manhunt has been launched, and more information is awaited," Kannur police said in a statament on Friday.

Govindachamy does not have an arm, police said as they informed public about the jailbreak and the accused's "identification mark".

Govindachamy was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya. She was attacked while travelling on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1, 2011.

Reports claim that Govindachamy escape the jail after cutting a wire and then jumping over the high wall of the prison. ...