SUDURPASCHIM, Aug 21: The committee formed to investigate the clash at Kailali Prison has concluded in its report that the incident occurred due to internal disagreements within the prison administration.
Assistant Chief District Officer Kiran Joshi, the coordinator of the investigation committee, stated that the incident was the result of disputes within the prison’s internal administration. She said, “We studied the incident site, spoke with injured inmates, observed the prison’s condition and held discussions with security personnel and administrators. It appears that disputes arose between the internal administrations of Block A and Block B inside the prison.”
Five-member probe panel formed to investigate Kailali prison cl...
Joshi further noted that a high-level investigation involving experts is necessary to reveal more facts. She said, “The CCTV footage was not clear during the site study. Some of the accused denied involvement as claimed by the injured and there was insufficient basis to verify solely on the conversations we had. Therefore, a high-level committee with experts is required.”
The committee was given 10 days to complete its task and has submitted the study report to the CDO. On August 8, a clash among inmates inside the prison had left one dead and 49 injured. Among the seriously injured, three are still receiving treatment in Kathmandu.
Of those being treated at Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi, 41 have already been discharged. Among them, three have been transferred to Kanchanpur Prison and one to Nawalparasi Prison. Although discharged by the hospital, many inmates are still staying there. It has been reported that arrangements are being made to transfer them to prisons of their choice.
Following the incident, the government recalled Kailali’s CDO Gogan Bahadur Hamal and appointed Krishna Prasad Lamsal in his place. Similarly, a new head has also been assigned to the prison branch.
Currently, Kailali Prison, which has a capacity of 150 inmates, is housing 697 prisoners.
