Nepal prison riots: 3 inmates killed, death toll rises amid mass jailbreaks
Kathmandu: At least three inmates were killed during clashes with security forces at a Nepalese prison on Thursday, as violent anti-government protests continue to sweep across the country. Since the unrest erupted earlier this week, more than 15,000 prisoners have escaped from over two dozen prisons nationwide, according to official sources.
These latest fatalities bring the total number of inmate deaths during confrontations with security personnel to eight since violence broke out on Tuesday as part of widespread anti-government demonstrations led by the Gen Z movement.
The escalating unrest prompted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday. In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, the Nepal Army imposed emergency restrictions across several provinces.
On Thursday morning, a violent clash occurred at Ramechhap District Prison in Madhesh Province, resulting in the deaths of three inmates and injuries to 13 others. According to police, the incident began when prisoners attempted a jailbreak by detonating a gas cylinder. Security personnel opened fire to regain control of the situation. The injured were taken to Ramechhap District Hospital for treatment.
Since Tuesday, over 25 prisons across the country have seen violent clashes, arson attacks, and mass escapes. According to The Kathmandu Post, “The jailbreaks began when youth protesters stormed multiple prison facilities, setting administrative buildings ablaze and forcing open prison gates. By Wednesday evening, preliminary reports confirmed that over 15,000 inmates had fled from more than 25 prisons, with only a fraction returning voluntarily or being rearrested.”
In Gandaki Province, 773 prisoners escaped from the Kaski District Prison, including 13 Indian nationals and four other foreign inmates, according to jailor Rajendra Sharma.
The Department of Prison Management stated that final figures are still being compiled. Director General Lila Prasad Sharma confirmed that security forces, including the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police, had been deployed nationwide to recapture escapees and restore order. “We are mobilising all available resources to re-arrest them as quickly as possible,” DG Sharma told reporters.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, five juvenile inmates died and four others were seriously injured during a clash at Naubasta Juvenile Correctional Home in Banke District. According to officials, the inmates attempted to seize weapons from security personnel, prompting police to open fire.
Major prison breakouts reported include:
- Central Jail, Sundhara (3,300 escapees)
- Nakkhu Prison, Lalitpur (1,400)
- Dillibazar Prison (1,100)
- Jhumka Prison, Sunsari (1,575)
- Banke Juvenile Reform Centre (122)
- Banke District Prison (436)
- Mahottari's Jaleshwar Prison (575)
- Chitwan (700)
- Kapilvastu District Prison (459)
- Kailali Prison (612)
- Kanchanpur (478)
- Sindhuli Prison (500)
Meanwhile, India’s paramilitary force, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), apprehended 13 escapees near the Bairganiya border checkpoint as they attempted to cross into Indian territory. The individuals were among a group that escaped from Gaur Prison in Nepal's Rautahat District. “They will be handed over to the Nepal Police after following due process,” a Nepal Police official said.
Of the 291 inmates serving sentences at Gaur Prison, approximately 260 escaped during the unrest. Police have since recaptured 31; 13 were detained by Indian forces, while 216 remain at large.
PTI