Nepal News: 13,500 Prisoners Break Out During Nationwide Protests

CopilotPerplexityChatGPTDeepSeekGoogleGrokGemini

Nepal is facing one of its worst security challenges in years after more than 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country during violent anti-corruption protests. Police confirmed the scale of the breakouts, which occurred as unrest spread through multiple cities.

Three police officers were killed while trying to control the chaos. Protesters clashed with security forces in the streets, overwhelming the authorities and leaving prisons vulnerable. In many cases, jail gates were forced open under pressure from mobs or by inmates taking advantage of the disorder.

The protests began earlier this week, led mostly by young Nepalis angry over corruption and a temporary social media ban. Demonstrations quickly escalated into some of the most chaotic scenes the country has faced in recent years, with fires, vandalism, and mass detentions overwhelming the system.

The government deployed the Nepal Army to restore order in parts of the capital, Kathmandu, and other key towns. An indefinite curfew was announced in several cities to bring the situation under control. Soldiers have been patrolling the streets while police attempt to regain control of prisons and hunt down fugitives.

Officials have also tightened checks along the border with India to prevent escapees from fleeing the country. Many of those who broke free were serving sentences for serious crimes, adding to the urgency of the manhunt.

The jailbreaks come as Nepal faces a broader political crisis. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following widespread criticism of his government’s handling of corruption and restrictions on online freedoms. Protest leaders are calling for accountability and reforms, while officials are struggling to balance restoring order with addressing public anger.

Authorities now face the twin challenge of recapturing thousands of prisoners while also calming nationwide unrest. For many Nepalis, the events highlight deep frustration with governance and the urgent need for stability.