Nepal's army opens fire to thwart jailbreak, injures over a dozen inmates
Nepal’s fragile political crisis took another dramatic turn on Thursday when army troops opened fire to prevent a mass jailbreak, injuring more than a dozen inmates.
According to local reports, the attempted breakout happened in Ramechhap district of Bagmati province. Prisoners had managed to break through several internal locks and were attempting to ram open the main gate when soldiers guarding the facility opened fire.
“Around 12 to 13 inmates were injured after the army opened fire as they reached the gate,” confirmed Chief District Officer Shyam Krishna Thapa. The prison, which houses over 300 inmates, has now been secured, and police officials say none of the prisoners managed to escape.
The Ramechhap incident is not isolated. Nepal has witnessed a string of jailbreaks in recent days, with authorities reporting that more than 15,000 inmates have already escaped from prisons across the country amid the chaos. Officials admit that overstretched police forces have struggled to contain the unrest, leading the army to assume full command of national security.
The turmoil erupted after Nepal’s youth-led “Generation Z” protests swept the streets, demanding an end to corruption and state repression. The demonstrations eventually toppled Oli’s government.
Talks are now underway to form an interim administration to guide Nepal until fresh elections can be held. But consensus remains elusive. Many protesters have rallied online behind former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who gained popularity for her outspoken stance on judicial independence. Still, some activists argue her appointment would not represent the broader movement.
Another influential name being floated is that of Kathmandu’s popular mayor, Balendra Shah, who has built a strong following among younger Nepalis for his outspoken, anti-establishment style of politics.
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