Kolkata, Aug 31 - The prime accused in the theft of Brazilian Marmoset monkeys from a Kolkata zoo gave the slip to his police guards and fled from a train in Orissa Monday while being brought here for interrogation, police said. The monkeys have been brought back too.

Deputy Commissioner (detectives) Javed Shamim said Rajesh Saikia, arrested Saturday from Chhattisgarh from where the monkeys were also recovered, was found missing around 4.45 a.m. Monay when the train - Howrah-bound Ahmedabad Express - stopped at Jharsuguda station.

'There were four police constables alongside two forest department officials guarding Saikia in the compartment. The constables have not returned and are searching for Saikia at Jharsuguda,' said Shamim, who has been asked by the West Bengal government to give a report on the 35-year-old accused's disappearance.

He said the city police were in touch with their counterparts at Jharsuguda. 'The police superintendent of the district has been apprised of the incident. A massive manhunt has been launched to nab Saikia.