KATHMANDU, Sept 18: Of the 3,500 prisoners who escaped from the Central Jail, only about 900 have returned as of Thursday, while 2,600 remain missing, according to prison authorities.
Until September 9, the Central Jail housed 3,880 inmates. With the transfer of 461 prisoners from Dillibazar Prison and three from Nakkhu Prison, there are currently 1,778 inmates inside the Central Jail, officials said.
Authorities confirmed that some escapees facing murder charges in both Nepal and India have been arrested by Indian police. Since the jailbreak, the usual crowds of visitors at the prison have thinned, leaving the premises unusually deserted on Thursday.
Despite repeated notices urging the escapees to return, the large number still unaccounted for remains a serious concern, prison officials stated. “Many of them are serving sentences for rape, drug trafficking, homicide, and cooperative fraud. If they remain at large, what will happen?” one staff member said.
Chomendra Neupane, Director of Central Jail Management, said public notices have already been issued through the prison office, district police, and central police authorities, with coordination underway with the Department of Immigration as well. While some escapees have voluntarily returned, many are still on the run.
Neupane appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities by immediately informing nearby police if they encountered any escaped inmates. He warned that the fugitives not only spread fear in society but also heighten the risk of crime.