Lalitpur. As many as 1,280 inmates escaped due to vandalism, attack and arson at Nakkhu Prison, Lalitpur, during demonstrations called by the Genji generation on September 7 and 24.

Among the escaped prisoners, Rastriya Samajwadi Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane had escaped. So far, 587 people have voluntarily returned to prisons and some have been rehabilitated in various prisons in the country. However, 651 absconding prisoners have not returned despite the call issued by the Nakkhu prison administration to return home.

The Department of Prison Management has given time till October 20 to all the absconding prisoners to voluntarily return to prison. The Department of Prison Management has stated that legal action would be initiated as per the Prison Act, 2079 if the prisoners fail to return within the stipulated time.

The Department has urged family members of prisoners, local levels, security bodies, media and other stakeholders to cooperate with them in finding and bringing back the absconding prisoners. According to the Department, the absconding prisoners can surrender themselves within the stipulated time by contacting the nearest police office, prison or the concerned body.