Of the inmates who escaped by breaking out of Bajhang District Jail during the protest on 9 September, 12 are still out of contact. During the Gen-Z movement on 9 September, a total of 65 inmates had escaped from the Bajhang District Prison. According to Jailor Rajendra Bahadur Farada of Bajhang District Jail, 20 out of 85 inmates had remained in custody during the incident. He informed that 40 escapees have voluntarily returned, while 13 have been arrested so far. Farada stated that search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining inmates and expressed that they will be re-arrested soon. He also said that five individuals identified as the masterminds of the prison break during the protest have been transferred to jails in Dhangadhi, Baitadi, and Dadeldhura, while preparations are underway to send some others to Banke.
The jail administration has appealed to the escaped inmates to return voluntarily, warning that remaining at large would not only lead to stricter enforcement of legal penalties but also have serious negative consequences on their future legal rights, access to facilities, and social reintegration process. Similarly, the District Police Office, Bajhang, has issued a public notice urging the escaped prisoners to contact the authorities.
DSP Khagendra Dhamala of the District Police Office stated that escaped inmates themselves would face greater difficulties and additional punishment while remaining at large. He said the authorities have urged them to come forward, assuring that those who voluntarily return would be granted leniency in their sentences. Dhamala added that search operations are underway to locate the remaining fugitives.
Satyaraj Singh