Over 500 Inmates Remain at Large After Prison Breaks During 'Jailbreak' Protests in Lumbini Province

Butwal. Although most of the inmates who fled from various prisons and juvenile correction homes in Lumbini Province during the 'Jailbreak' protests in Bhadra have returned, more than five hundred remain missing.

Experts express concern that the escape of these inmates, who fled while serving sentences for various cases, could lead to further criminal incidents in society.

A total of 1,569 inmates from prisons and juvenile correction homes in Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu, Tulsipur, and Banke in Lumbini fled during the 'Jailbreak' protests. Of these, 1,028 have come into contact, while 541 are still at large, SSP Sharda Prasad Chaudhary, Information Officer for the Lumbini Province Police Office Dang, told Ratopati.  

The Provincial Police Office stated that out of the total 1,494 male and juvenile inmates and 75 female inmates who fled from the six prisons and correction homes in Lumbini Province, 511 males/juveniles and 30 females are yet to be apprehended.

Most of those who fled during the 'Jailbreak' protests have returned on their own. According to the data provided to Ratopati by the Lumbini Province Police Office, 599 returned voluntarily to the prison. The number of those arrested and brought back by security personnel while on the run is 395. Additionally, 33 returned to other prisons, and one person died.

How Many Returned From Which Prison?

Among the prisons within Lumbini Province, Nawalparasi Prison saw the highest number of escapees, with 546 inmates fleeing.

Out of 471 male and 75 female inmates who fled, 368 have returned to the prison so far, while 178 remain at large. The Provincial Police Office stated that 88 of those who fled from that prison were arrested and brought back by security personnel.

On the morning of Bhadra 24, 430 inmates fled after vandalizing Kapilvastu Prison and the court. Security personnel have arrested 126 of them, while another 190 have appeared voluntarily at the prison. 114 inmates who escaped from this prison have not yet been found.

Out of 253 inmates who fled from Tulsipur Prison, 185 have returned to the prison. Police stated that 68 are still yet to be apprehended. One of those who fled from this prison died in Nepalgunj.

Similarly, out of 147 who fled from the Naubasta Prison Office, Banke, a total of 92 have returned to the prison so far. Police stated that 95 who fled from here are still at large.

Out of 78 who fled from the Naubasta Juvenile Correction Home in Banke, 43 have been arrested, and 35 remain at large.

Likewise, out of 115 who fled from the Jayendra Juvenile Correction Home in Banke, 64 have been arrested, and 51 remain at large.

Now that most of those who fled during the 'Jailbreak' protests have returned to prison, the police have indicated that efforts are underway through various means to bring the remaining absconding inmates into custody.

SSP Sharda Prasad Chaudhary, Information Officer for the Lumbini Province Police Office Dang, stated that they are monitoring the homes and potential hiding places of the escaped inmates.

He clarified that the search operation is being conducted based on the details of the absconding inmates, which are available at police offices across the country. The police maintain that there will be no compromise on the legal punishment for the absconding inmates.