Block number two of Kapilvastu Jail has not been brought under the control of security personnel even after 22 hours due to a dispute between two groups of prisoners. The block is under the control of the group of prisoner Narayan Wali.

While the Wali group has been taking control of the block of the prison since 2 pm on Monday, the security personnel have not been able to enter. The block is under the control of the prisoners until 12 pm on Tuesday.

A meeting of the District Security Committee is currently being held at the District Administration Office. Chief District Officer Janardan Gautam said that efforts are being made to resolve the problems of the agitating prisoners. ‘We will resolve the problem peacefully as much as possible,’ he said, ‘If it does not work even after that, we will think about other options.’

What is the dispute?

A group including the watchman of block number two, Damodar Tharu and the original leader, Key Singh Khatri, had brutally beaten and injured 4 prisoners on Saturday. The injured are Mohammad Hanif Musalman, Sujan Bik, Niraj Karki and Habibur Rahman. After the incident, a dispute has started between a group of prisoners in Block No. 2 since Sunday.

Wali alleges that the prison administration has ignored the demand for action against the culprits. 'As the insecurity among other prisoners increased, we were forced to take control of the 4 people involved in the beating and keep them inside the prison,' said Wali.

According to prisoner Wali, those held hostage include the main leader of Block No. 2, Khatri, and watchman Tharu, along with assistant leaders Vijay Khatri and Niyaz Dhuniya. The police, who are unable to enter the block, are taking the initiative to hold talks by tightening the external security arrangements, said DSP Ripendra Kumar Singh, Information Officer of the District Police Office.

Media personnel rescue hostages 

After the agitating prisoners said that they would talk to the administration only after presenting their demands to the media, Federation of Nepal Journalists, Kapilvastu, President Dilaram Bhusal and Vice President Khag Prasad Chapagain reached the prison at 9 pm on Monday and rescued the four hostages and brought them to Block No. 1. Co-captain Vijay is undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Taulihawa, the district headquarters, due to an injury to his leg.

What are the demands of the prisoners?
They have made demands such as taking action against those who beat them up without any reason, providing ration water to the prisoners as prescribed by the government, and not charging exorbitant prices in the canteen inside the prison.