Dhangadhi, August 10
Thirty-six hours after a violent clash at the Kailali Prison left one inmate dead and 49 others injured, local authorities have yet to bring the situation under control.
Following the incident, inmates locked the gates from inside, taking full control of the prison blocks and preventing security personnel or prison staff from entering. As a result, the exact situation inside remains unknown.
According to the Sudurpaschim Provincial Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the inmates have agreed to meet only with Kailali Chief District Officer (CDO) Gogan Bahadur Hamal and SP Balanar Singh Rana, as well as senior representatives from the Home Ministry and the Department of Prison Management. They have refused to meet any other officials.
CDO Hamal confirmed that security personnel have not yet been able to enter the prison. He said he plans to inspect the facility later in the day along with an NHRC team. He also confirmed that inmates’ relatives are currently being allowed to meet them.
Inmates have accused the local administration of repeatedly ignoring the problems inside the prison. On July 29, all 590 inmates of Kailali Prison had sent a memorandum to the NHRC, expressing concern over their safety and requesting security arrangements.
Based on that letter, the NHRC had written to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Home Ministry, and the Department of Prison Management, directing them to ensure adequate security. However, the NHRC stated that the lack of timely action led to Friday’s violent incident.
On Friday, a group of inmates from Block A reportedly broke through a wall and launched an indiscriminate attack on inmates in Block B. The attack left Bharat Chaudhary of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City–4 dead and 49 others injured.
Of the injured, Ayush Bhatt of Godawari has been taken to Kathmandu for further treatment, while two others remain in the ICU of Seti Provincial Hospital. The remaining injured are receiving treatment at the COVID-19 Special Hospital under Seti Hospital.
Kailali Prison, which has a capacity of 150 inmates, currently houses around 700.
