The Nepalese army announced on Thursday that nearly 200 prisoners have been recaptured following mass jailbreaks amid violent protests that led to the government’s fall. This number is a small portion of the thousands who escaped.
Police reported that about 13,500 inmates fled prisons across the country during the disturbances, causing security forces to struggle to regain control.
This situation adds to the challenges faced by the army and police as they work to restore order following the most intense protests in decades.
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“The Nepali Army has recaptured 192 prisoners,” stated the army, referring to those who escaped from a jail in the southeastern city of Rajbiraj.
In another incident at a prison in Ramechhap, east of Kathmandu, clashes broke out, and the Nepali Army “opened fire, injuring 12 prisoners and killing two,” the statement continued.
India’s border force reported detaining numerous fugitives attempting to cross the extensive and open border into Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, handing them back to Nepali officials.
“We have detained and returned at least 60 prisoners who escaped from various Nepali prisons,” said an Indian border force official, who was not authorized to speak to the media.
The Nepalese army also stated it had recovered nearly 100 weapons taken during the uprising, where protesters were seen wielding automatic rifles.
Parliament, government, and presidential buildings, along with commercial properties and a Hilton Hotel, were set on fire after at least 19 protesters died in a crackdown on demonstrations.
