Govt issues 10-day ultimatum for escaped prisoners to return

KATHMANDU: The government has issued a 10-day ultimatum to prisoners who escaped during the recent GenZ protests, directing them to return to their respective prisons by Ashwin 20.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Saturday that a special nationwide campaign will be launched to track down, arrest, and return the fugitives.

A “Fugitive Prisoner Search and Arrest Taskforce” has been formed in every district, led by the Assistant Chief District Officer and comprising representatives from security and other relevant agencies.

According to the Department of Prison Management, 14,553 inmates and juvenile detainees escaped from 28 prisons and nine juvenile correction centers during the protests of Sept 8–9 (Bhadra 23–24).

So far, 8,199 have returned, but 6,354 remain at large.

The government has directed all district administrations, local governments, and security units to intensify surveillance at schools, campuses, bus parks, entertainment venues, border points, and other public spaces.

Lists of absconded prisoners will be widely circulated through media, social networks, and public notices.

Authorities have also warned that anyone found sheltering or assisting fugitives will face legal action. Public service providers, including local representatives, will be mobilized to support the search effort.

Currently, Nepal’s 75 prisons across 72 districts house 30,646 inmates. Dhanusha, Bara, Bhaktapur, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), and Rukum East districts have no prison facilities.

The Home Ministry emphasized that escaped inmates must surrender voluntarily within the deadline or face prosecution under prevailing laws.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation of damaged prison infrastructure and coordinated efforts to restore normalcy are underway.