Kathmandu, 23 Sep: According to the Department of Prison Management, inmates had escaped from 28 prisons and 9 juvenile reform homes across the country. There are a total of 30,639 inmates in prisons and reform homes combined. Following the incident on Bhadau 24, a total of 14,556 inmates had escaped—13,592 from prisons and 964 from reform homes. As of Tuesday, data shows that 6,984 inmates have returned, including 6,643 from prisons and 341 from reform homes. Additionally, 15,525 inmates—15,162 from prisons and 363 from reform homes—had not escaped.
Chaos and High-Profile Escapes Marked the Incident
The prison offices were calm during the protests in Kathmandu on Bhadau 23(Sep 8). However, the situation spiraled out of control on Bhadau 24, leading to inmates starting to escape. At the Nakkhu prison office, after supporters engaged in vandalism, Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party RSP, was released. The inmates there vandalized property, set fires, and all escaped. Police analysis suggests these inmates later reached the central prison at Jagannath dewal, where they also caused vandalism and arson, leading to further escapes. Among those who fled were former Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Home Secretary Teknarayan Pandey, and gold smuggler and murder accused Chudamani Sharma. Rayamajhi and Sharma have returned, but Pandey remains at large. The following day, inmates in prisons across the country vandalized property, set fires, and escaped. The army was deployed to control the deteriorating situation, and a curfew was imposed. Ten people lost their lives when security forces opened fire to prevent escapes, with deaths reported in Ramechhap (3), Dhading (2), and Naubasta Bal Sudhar Griha (5).
Authorities Launch Search Operation Amidst Concerns of Crime Spree
While many inmates have returned voluntarily following appeals from the Prison Department, Police, and Armed Police Force, some have committed crimes after escaping. A case has emerged where Sant Bahadur Tamang, who escaped from Nakkhu on Bhadau 24, went to his home in Panauti and murdered his wife on Asoj 2, burying her in a nearby garden. He returned to Nakkhu prison the next day. In light of such incidents, the department has requested police and local authorities to arrest the fugitives. Director Chomendra Neupane stated that the department is coordinating with police, has provided a list of escaped inmates, and has also contacted the Immigration Department to prevent them from fleeing the country. Police DIG Vinod Ghimire confirmed that a strategy is in place to arrest the inmates, with a particular focus on those who are notorious and have not made contact. He urged the public to remain vigilant, report any sightings immediately, and conduct night patrols to protect potential victims, as there is a fear that the escapees might attack them.
