KATHMANDU, Sept 11: Of the 441 inmates who escaped from the Bhimphedi Regional Prison in Makwanpur on Wednesday, 121 have been brought under control, according to prison authorities.
The jailbreak occurred after inmates broke through Blocks ‘A’ and ‘B’ of the facility, which houses a total of 1,066 prisoners. A total of 260 inmates escaped from Block A and 181 from Block B after breaching the walls.
Overcrowded prison making life difficult for inmates
Prison Chief Subash Poudel said that 76 inmates have voluntarily returned, while 45 others were apprehended and are being sent back to prison. Security forces including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are intensifying their search for the 320 still on the run.
The escape followed a four-hour clash between security personnel and inmates inside the prison. Two inmates were injured after being hit by bullets fired by soldiers while attempting to stop a vehicle used in the escape. They are currently receiving treatment at Hetauda Hospital.
Meanwhile, 47 inmates who had escaped from other prisons across the country have also been recaptured. Police said this includes seven from Nakkhu Prison, two from Jagannath Dewal Central Prison in Kathmandu, one from Kaski Prison, and 35 others still awaiting transfer to reopened facilities.
