Over 600 prisoners return in Sudurpaschim after jailbreaks
Police in Jumla are still searching for 23 inmates who escaped from the district prison last Tuesday. After anti-corruption protesters set fire and vandalised Kaski Prison on Tuesday evening, inmates were seen carrying their belongoings on their shoulders as they made their way out onto the streets. Deepak Pariyar/TKP
In Sudurpaschim Province, 608 inmates who had escaped during the recent Gen Z protests have either surrendered or been brought back by security forces, authorities confirmed on Monday.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Prakash Ranabhat at the Sudurpaschim Provincial Police Office, a total of 1,458 prisoners had fled from jails in seven districts—excluding Bajura and Achham—when protests turned violent last week. “Some returned voluntarily, while others were apprehended by police teams,” Ranabhat said, adding that 850 prisoners are still at large.
District prison offices have issued public notices urging the remaining escapees to contact authorities and return immediately. Meanwhile, special police squads have been deployed across the province to track them down. Officials said the jailbreaks have raised security concerns, but efforts are ongoing to restore order and bring the situation under control.
In Rautahat, two inmates who escaped from Gaur Prison on September 9 have surrendered. The jailbreak had occurred when 260 out of 291 prisoners fled amid the chaos, while 31 remained inside. With the latest surrender of Bihari Sah from Maulapur and Hemchandra Prasad from Fatuwa Vijaypur, the prison now houses 106 inmates, according to Jailor Manish Jha.
Authorities said both men were facing organised crime and criminal conspiracy charges. Police have intensified searches for the remaining 185 fugitives, coordinating with Indian security forces who have already captured 75 escapees. Security checks at fugitives’ homes and border areas have been tightened, officials said.
Meanwhile, police in Jumla are still searching for 23 inmates who escaped from the district prison last Tuesday. Out of 41 escapees, five were recaptured the same night, while 13 others have since returned voluntarily, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabin Babu Regmi.
Authorities have urged the remaining fugitives to surrender immediately and have appealed to their families to help bring them back. The inmates reportedly attacked guards with sticks before breaking through the prison gate to escape. Security has since been tightened, with joint teams from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army deployed around the area.
The manhunt continues as officials work to restore order and prevent further unrest following the recent wave of prison breakouts triggered by nationwide protests.
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