Two inmates were shot dead by security forces at Ramechhap District Jail in Nepal, according to a statement released by the country’s army. The incident occurred when clashes erupted among prisoners demanding their release, prompting army personnel deployed at the facility to open fire. Authorities confirmed that twelve other prisoners were injured during the unrest, raising concerns over the deteriorating situation inside Nepal’s prisons. Reports of the shooting were carried by the BBC’s Bengali service, citing official sources.

The deadly incident followed a separate tragedy on Tuesday night in Banke district. At least five juvenile detainees were killed while attempting to escape from a correctional facility in the Nawabasta area of Baijanath Rural Municipality. The failed escape attempt further underscored the growing instability inside correctional institutions across Nepal, where security lapses and rising agitation among detainees have become increasingly evident in recent weeks.

Prison disturbances have intensified in the wake of Nepal’s “Gen-Z Movement,” a wave of protests and demonstrations that has spilled over into detention facilities. Since the unrest began, several inmates have managed to escape from jails located in different districts, forcing security forces to launch large-scale operations to restore control and recapture escapees.

The Nepal Army stated on Wednesday that it has already intercepted a number of prisoners who either attempted to break out or had already fled. According to the military’s official update, 192 prisoners who escaped from Rajbiraj District Jail in Saptari were recaptured during coordinated operations. These large-scale arrests highlight the severity of the crisis as authorities scramble to prevent further unrest from spreading across the penal system.

Meanwhile, in Kanchanpur district’s Chandani area near the Indian border, seven fugitives attempting to cross into India were detained and later handed over to the Nepalese Army. Security forces have been on high alert across border regions to prevent escapees from slipping into neighboring countries. In addition, officials reported that twelve fugitives voluntarily surrendered to authorities and returned to prison, an indication that not all inmates were willing to remain fugitives in the face of the army’s ongoing crackdown.

The Himalayan Times, one of Nepal’s leading dailies, reported that the nationwide death toll linked to the ongoing prison violence has now climbed to 34. The Ministry of Health further disclosed that a staggering 1,368 people have been injured in various clashes and incidents connected to the escalating unrest. Hospitals across affected districts have been struggling to accommodate the rising number of injured prisoners and security personnel, while human rights groups have started voicing concerns over the excessive use of force in restoring order.

Observers note that the unrest in Nepal’s prisons reflects deeper political and social turmoil gripping the country. The Gen-Z Movement, initially fueled by frustrations over governance and economic challenges, has found resonance inside correctional facilities, where conditions are often overcrowded and rehabilitation opportunities are limited. Prisoners demanding reforms and greater leniency have increasingly clashed with guards, further destabilizing already fragile institutions.

While the army has taken a leading role in suppressing prison riots and recapturing fugitives, questions remain about the government’s long-term strategy for addressing the root causes of the crisis. Critics argue that reliance on force alone risks aggravating the situation, while calls for reforms in prison management and justice administration grow louder.

The unfolding events have placed the Nepalese government under pressure, as the death toll continues to rise and the number of injured multiplies. With security forces engaged in a nationwide operation to restore control, the situation in Nepal’s prisons remains tense, uncertain, and emblematic of the broader unrest shaking the Himalayan nation.