Nepal ‘Gen Z’ protests: Police re-arrest 3,723 escaped prisoners, over 10,000 remain missing

Nepal Police said on Sunday that more than 3,700 inmates who broke out of jails during last week’s violent anti-government protests have been taken back into custody, while over 10,000 remain unaccounted for.

According to Deputy Inspector General Binod Ghimire, spokesperson for Nepal Police, a total of 3,723 prisoners had been returned to various jails by Sunday afternoon. He urged citizens to remain vigilant, noting that 10,320 inmates were still on the run.

Ghimire said some of the escapees surrendered voluntarily, while Indian police assisted in apprehending those who attempted to cross the border.

A campaign by the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to arrest the escaped prisoners is underway, DIG Ghimire said.

The prisoners had escaped on September 9 due to the vandalism, arson and demonstration following the Gen-Z protests against corruption and a ban on various social media sites that forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign.

The massive demonstrations — called the protest of Gen Z — began on Sept. 8 over a short-lived social media ban. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets, particularly young people, angry about widespread corruption and poverty, while the children of political leaders, known as “nepo kids,” seemed to enjoy luxurious lifestyles.

The protests soon turned violent, with protesters attacking the parliament building and police opening fire, and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who fled his official residence.

The actual headquarters of the prime minister, an old white-colored palace converted to an office in the capital, Kathmandu, was set on fire along with the offices of the president, the supreme court, key government ministries and several police stations on Sept. 9, a day after police shot at protesters. The businesses and houses of key families were also attacked, including several stores of a popular supermarket chain in Nepal.

Calm was restored after the army took control of the streets that night, and negotiations between protesters, the army and the president began over an interim government.

Sushila Karki, 73, was named the new prime minister on Sept. 12. She was a popular figure while serving as the court’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, and was known for her stance against corruption in the government.

Fresh parliamentary elections have been set for March 5.

With inputs from agencies