DHANGADHI, Aug 10: A violent midnight clash among inmates at Kailali Prison on Friday resulted in bloodshed, allegedly due to extreme negligence by the police administration. One person was killed and at least 47 others injured during the brutal fight between two rival gangs.
One group launched a sudden and vicious attack on another group of prisoners while they were sleeping, leading to a bloody scene inside the prison. The incident highlights grave lapses by the security agencies. A scuffle had already taken place among prisoners the previous day, injuring five inmates.
Despite clear hostility between the groups, prison authorities, the District Administration Office, and the District Police Office showed no alertness. Sources say warnings about a possible further incident inside the prison had been given in advance, but security agencies failed to respond with due seriousness or vigilance.
Triggering factor behind the clash
According to police officials, two groups led by Naveen Rawal, known as ‘Nandu Sarkar,’ and Jayendra Shah have been involved in ongoing gang activities. The prison incident is linked to the prolonged conflict between these factions.
These groups were initially united in activities such as manipulating government contracts and extorting protection money. However, over the last four to five years, they became bitter enemies. Police records show they have repeatedly attempted to kill each other.
A major clash occurred in November 2021 in Tikapur during the murder of Bhupendra Baduwal. Police say that because Baduwal was associated with Jayendra Shah’s group, the ‘Nandu Sarkar’ faction killed him. That day, the Nandu Sarkar group had also planned to attack another key figure, Kapil Shrestha, from Jayendra’s faction. After learning that Shrestha planned to target them, they retaliated by killing Baduwal.
Following that incident, 19 people, including members of the Nandu Sarkar group, were imprisoned in Kailali Prison. Kapil Shrestha from Jayendra’s group is also in the same facility. The rivalry has continued inside the prison.
Of the three blocks in the prison, ‘C’ block houses female inmates, ‘A’ block housed the Nandu Sarkar group, and ‘B’ block housed Kapil Shrestha and his associates. During an inspection in June by Chief District Officer Gogan Bahadur Hamal, a mobile phone was found in ‘A’ block. Seven inmates were then transferred from ‘A’ block to ‘B’ block.
This transfer escalated tensions, leading to violent clashes on July 12 in which prison head Khagendra Bogati was seriously injured. Bogati was reportedly attacked by the group led by Kapil Shrestha.
The rising violence prompted the District Administration Office to transfer some inmates to other prisons. Those transferred were members of the Nandu Sarkar group, which enraged the faction further. As a result, the group smashed walls and launched a brutal attack on inmates sleeping in ‘B’ block.
The attackers reportedly used kukris, knives, rods, and gym equipment. The incident claimed the life of 40-year-old inmate Bharat Chaudhary.
Following Friday night’s incident, security personnel were unable to enter the prison. Kailali Jail remained under the control of inmates for most of Saturday. Jailor Ram Prasad Chaudhary admitted that prisoners had locked the gates from inside.
The prisoners also threatened to set the prison on fire by placing gas cylinders at the main gate of the detention ward.
Officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) said they are closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to stabilise it. “Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force will tighten security arrangements to ensure full protection of the prison and prevent any further unfortunate incidents,” MoHA Spokesperson Ananda Kafle said. “Arrangements have also been made for the treatment of the injured.”
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday convened a meeting with the Home Secretary and the heads of the three security agencies to receive a detailed briefing and discuss measures to ease tensions. The meeting decided to transfer one seriously injured patient to Kathmandu for treatment, deploying the Nepali Army’s Sky Truck from Surkhet to Dhangadhi. It also discussed strengthening internal security within the prison.
NHRC says lax security main cause of Kailali prison clash
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s Far-Western Province office has cited serious negligence in the incident.
An NHRC team inspected the prison on Saturday afternoon and found that the absence of coordination—due to the prison administration chief being on leave—lax internal security, overcrowding, and non-transparent prisoner transfers contributed to the violence.
Prakash Datt Bhatt, head of the NHRC office in Dhangadhi, said the local administration was directed to ensure proper treatment of the injured and to facilitate family visits. He added that the administration had been warned earlier through a collective petition from prisoners citing insecurity inside the prison.