Kathmandu: The government has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the prisoners who escaped from different jails across the country during the Gen-Z protests to return to the respective jails. The Home Ministry has announced the initiative as part of a concerted effort to address the situation and ensure the return of all fugitives to the prison system.
According to National News Agency RSS, the Home Ministry has decided to launch a special drive to bring back the escapees to jails. The Ministry has also formed a Fugitive/Detainee Search and Arrest Taskforce with the coordination of the Assistant Chief District Officer of the concerned districts. This taskforce will focus on locating, controlling, and arresting the escaped inmates to bring them back into custody as quickly as possible.
The taskforce is instructed to work in coordination with all security units of the district, local levels, media, and relevant government offices to ensure a comprehensive search and arrest operation. Information regarding the escapees, including detailed descriptions, will be disseminated to facilitate their capture.
During the Gen-Z protests, a total of 14,553 prisoners and juvenile delinquents escaped from 28 prisons and nine Child Reform Centres across the country. Of these, 8,199 prisoners have already returned to their respective jails, leaving 6,354 prisoners still at large, as stated by Chomendra Nyupane, Director at the Prison Department.