Inmates in district jails across Madhesh Province actively broke out and set fires before escaping. Taking advantage of the chaos during the Gen-z protesters’ demonstrations on 8 and 9 September which included arson and vandalism of government and private buildings, the prisoners managed to flee. Inmates have escaped from the jails in Saptari, Mahottari, Rautahat, and Parsa districts of Madhesh Province. According to INSEC representatives, out of 1,049 inmates who fled from these jails, security personnel have taken 70 under control.
According to Mamta Bishwakarma from Mahottari, out of 577 inmates at the District Headquarters Jail in Jaleshwar, 576 inmates have escaped.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Heramba Sharma of the District Police Office, after protesters outside the jail and inmates inside jointly broke the jail wall at around 7 PM on 9 September, all inmates in the jail escaped. Following the incident, Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Rijal stated that an indefinite curfew has been imposed across the district to prevent further incidents. Rijal also informed that the Nepali Army has been deployed to maintain peace and security in the aftermath of the event.
According to INSEC Saptari representative Nabin Yadav, inmates in the “B” block of Rajbiraj Jail set fire on the morning of 10 September, resulting in the escape of around 205 inmates. Taking advantage of the absence of all security guards, the inmates were attempting to escape by creating a hole in the south wall at the back of the “B” block. Nepali Army, District Police Office, Armed Police Force, and other security agencies began rescue and containment operations. So far, Ganglal Yogi, the jail chief, has informed that 31 of the escaped inmates have been taken into custody from various locations. The joint security team continues to conduct intensive checks and search operations in nearby areas.
According to Parsa representative Tulsi Bhandari, four inmates were injured during a police operation while trying to escape from the Birgunj Jail. Chief District Officer Toy Narayan Subedi stated that the inmates were hurt when security personnel fired warning shots and carried out a baton charge as they attempted to break through the jail wall. The injured are receiving treatment at Narayani Hospital.
According to INSEC Rautahat representative Gauri Neupane, there were 291 inmates in Gaur Jail. Of these, 264 inmates escaped on the night of 9 September, while 27 inmates stayed injail. Out of the escaped inmates, security personnel have taken 35 into custody from various locations. Jail Chief Manish Jha reported that currently only 62 inmates remain in the jail.
According to INSEC Sarlahi representative Budhan Shah, inmates at Sarlahi Jail attempted to escape by setting fire on the morning of 9 September, but all three security agencies successfully stopped them. The police have reported that the fire was brought under control. During the operation, the police also fired warning shots and deployed tear gas.
