Government issues nationwide alert to track down fugitives across Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal— Authorities in Nepal have launched a large-scale manhunt after 540 Indian nationals escaped from prisons across the country in the wake of the recent Gen Z–led protests that shook the nation earlier this year. The government has issued urgent alerts to law enforcement agencies nationwide, urging heightened vigilance and coordinated efforts to apprehend the absconding individuals.
According to official sources, the jailbreaks occurred in multiple regions of Nepal as the political unrest triggered by youth-led demonstrations provided cover for several inmates to flee detention facilities. The protests, which gained momentum earlier this year, saw thousands of young Nepalis mobilize across the country, demanding sweeping political and social reforms. Amid the resulting chaos, security breaches were reported in various prisons, enabling hundreds of prisoners — including a significant number of Indian nationals — to escape.
The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that 540 Indian nationals are currently unaccounted for, with security forces intensifying search operations at key transit points and border regions. The government has circulated nationwide alerts and shared intelligence with neighbouring countries, including India, to prevent the fugitives from crossing borders undetected.
Officials indicated that many of the escaped inmates were serving sentences for a range of offences, including drug trafficking, smuggling, fraud, and other criminal activities. Authorities have expressed concern that some of these individuals may attempt to regroup or cross international boundaries, posing security risks in the region.
The Indian government is reportedly in close communication with Nepalese authorities, monitoring developments closely and offering assistance in locating and identifying the fugitives. Border security has been tightened along major crossings, and information-sharing protocols have been activated between law enforcement agencies on both sides.
The Gen Z protests in Nepal, which began as a youth-driven movement against corruption and unemployment, quickly evolved into a nationwide wave of demonstrations demanding political accountability. The resulting instability exposed weaknesses in the country’s prison infrastructure, leading to one of the largest jailbreak incidents in recent history.
Nepalese officials have assured the public that special task forces are being deployed to track and recapture the fugitives, and efforts are underway to strengthen security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the