KATHMANDU: The Department of Prison Management has urged the prisoners who escaped from different jails across the country in course of the Gen Z protests on last September 8-9 to return the prisons by October 6.

The department stated that efforts are underway to bring back prisoners with the support and coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs, security agencies and stakeholders, and clarified that a ‘Fugitive Prisoner Search and Arrest Taskforce’ has also been formed.

Director and spokesperson Chomendra Neupane informed that a large number of prisoners are still outside the prison and that legal action will be taken against those who do not return within the stipulated time according to existing law.

The department has requested the concerned to provide information about escaped prisoners as per the last Friday’s Home Minister-level decision.

Legal action will also be taken against those hiding, and sheltering prisoners in fugitive status. Updated details of prisoners who have yet to return are to be regularly obtained from the districts and sent to the relevant higher authorities, it is said.