Over 15,000 prisoners escape amid violent protests in Nepal: Report
Kathmandu: Nepal is facing a nationwide security crisis after more than 15,000 inmates escaped from over 25 prisons across the country amid violent protests against corruption and the government in the country, The Kathmandu Post reported.
The mass jailbreaks began when angry demonstrators stormed multiple prison facilities, setting administrative buildings on fire and breaking open gates. In several locations, inmates reportedly attempted to seize control of the prisons, leading to clashes with security forces.
The deadliest incident occurred at the Banke Juvenile Reform Centre, where police opened fire to contain the chaos, leaving five inmates dead. Of the 228 children at the centre, 122 managed to flee from the facility.
At Sundhara’s Central Jail, around 3,300 inmates escaped, while another 1,400 prisoners broke out of Nakkhu Prison in Lalitpur. In Kaski District Prison, 773 inmates escaped after protesters torched the administrative block on Tuesday evening.
Other major prison breaks were reported at Jhumka Prison in Sunsari, one of Nepal’s largest facilities, where 1,575 prisoners escaped, and at Jaleshwar Prison in Mahottari, which saw the escape of 575 inmates. Authorities mentioned that 220 inmates later returned voluntarily or were captured by the army.
Families of crime victims have expressed fear as inmates convicted of heinous crimes such as murders, rapes, abductions, and human trafficking have also escaped, the report added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Prison Management stated that it was still compiling final figures from all provinces. Director General Lila Prasad Sharma confirmed that the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed nationwide to re-arrest escapees and restore order.
“We are mobilising all available resources to re-arrest them as quickly as possible," The Kathmandu Post quoted him as saying.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
