KATHMANDU, Aug 10: Kailali District Prison remains beyond the full control of security forces following a violent clash among inmates that left one prisoner dead, though the situation has now reportedly normalized, according to Kailali Chief District Officer (CDO) Gogan Bahadur Hamal. “The situation is no longer like yesterday [Saturday]; things have returned to normalcy,” Hamal stated, adding that prisoners were meeting their relatives and family members on Sunday.
However, Hamal confirmed that security personnel have still not entered the inner compound of the prison. He said they plan to send in security forces only after a team of human rights activists and other concerned stakeholders visits the prison. Following Friday night’s incident, inmates had completely taken over the inner section of the facility, blocking the main gate while armed with makeshift weapons and stones, preventing security forces from entering. Prisoners had even threatened to set the prison on fire by detonating gas cylinders and CDO Hamal had earlier stated they were stationed at the gate with pressure cooker bombs.
Overcrowded prison making life difficult for inmates
Although the CDO described the current atmosphere as calm, sources indicated that the prisoners’ anger has not yet subsided. While they have been willing to speak with relatives and human rights representatives, they have reportedly refused to engage with security agencies.
In the wake of the deadly incident, the Department of Prison Management removed Prison Chief (Jailor) Basanta Khatri from his post, replacing him with Jalandhar Bhusal, who arrived in Dhangadhi on Saturday, according to CDO Hamal.
Furthermore, the security team assigned to guard the prison during the incident has been completely replaced. “The entire team was changed yesterday, and in addition to that, a large security force has been deployed,” CDO Hamal said.
