Police confirm 13 inmates behind Tanahun Prison vandalism

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Tanahun, Jan. 23: Police have confirmed that 13 inmates of Tanahun Prison were involved in the arson and vandalism that occurred during a Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation after protesters entered the prison premises, all 327 inmates housed in the facility escaped.

During the incident, the prison’s administrative building was deliberately set on fire. According to Prison Chief Tek Prasad Bhattarai, preliminary investigations have revealed that the arson was carried out with the intent to destroy important records and legal evidence kept inside the prison. He stated that individuals from within the prison, who had blended into the crowd of protesters, were involved in setting the fire.

Tanahun District Police Office Chief Superintendent of Police Tek Bahadur Karki said that a detailed review of CCTV footage confirmed the direct involvement of 13 inmates in the arson. Following confirmation of their involvement, cases have been registered against them at the District Police Office, and legal action has been initiated.

Police have intensified further investigations into the incident and are also actively searching for other escapees. According to police, 48 inmates who fled during the protest are still at large, and search operations are ongoing.