KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Almost a month has passed since over 14,500 inmates escaped from prisons across the country during widespread unrest. However, the government has yet to bring back 5,697 fugitives who remain at large.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier set an October 6 deadline for prisoners to voluntarily return to their respective prison, warning them of additional charges related to prison escape in case of failure. As per the existing law, those who fail to return could face up to 10 years of additional imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 100,000, depending on the severity of their original crimes.
To facilitate the re-arrest, district-level search and arrest task forces were formed, led by assistant chief district officers, chief district police officers, and representatives from other relevant agencies.
However, with a large number of escapees still unaccounted for, the Department of Prison Management is uncertain how to proceed.
The mass jailbreaks took place on September 9– the second day of the GenZ Movement-led protests, which escalated into nationwide unrest. In total, 14,553 individuals — including 13,589 adult inmates and 964 juvenile detainees — fled from 28 prisons and nine juvenile reform centers across the country, according to the Department of Prison Management (DoPM).
As of 5:00 PM on Monday, 8,510 adult inmates and 341 juvenile detainees — a combined total of 8,851 individuals — had returned to custody following repeated government appeals. However, 5,079 adult prisoners and 618 juveniles are still on the run, said Chomendra Neupane, Director of the Department of Prison Management.
“We have formed a special task force with support from the Home Ministry and police departments in all 77 districts. We are hopeful that more will return in the coming days,” Neupane told Republica. He added that the government may consider granting another short grace period for those who return soon.
Neupane also stated that in some cases, villagers and family members have reported escapees who returned home. “We’ve issued public notices warning people not to harbor escaped prisoners. Anyone doing so will face legal action,” he added.
Jail breaks were reported from prisons in Jhapa, Solukhumbu, Saptari, Mahottari, Rautahat, Sindhuli, Nakkhu, Jagannathdewal, Makwanpur, Rasuwa, Chitwan, Tanahun, Kaski, Parbat, Myagdi, Kapilvastu, Tulsipur, Nauwasta, Western Rukum, Nawalparasi, Jumla, Bajhang, Kailali, Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur.
In Ramechhap three inmates were shot dead while attempting to flee and two others were killed by security forces in Dhading. At the Nauwasta juvenile reform center in Banke, five juveniles died during violent clashes.
Government authorities continue to urge all fugitives to return immediately, warning that those who ignore the directive will face full legal consequences under existing laws.
Nepal currently operates 75 prisons across 72 districts, housing a total of 30,646 inmates. There are no prisons in Dhanusha, Bara, Bhaktapur, East Nawalparasi, and Eastern Rukum.