The prisoners have said that they have not received the money even after two months of signing the reimbursement form for the 'seasonal clothing' to be used from April to September.
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Inmates of Dadeldhura Prison have launched a protest demanding various demands. They have been shouting slogans inside the prison since Monday morning and have warned that they will intensify the protest if their demands are not met.
The prisoners have said that they have not received the money even after two months of signing the payment for the 'seasonal clothes' used from Baisakh to Asoj. Similarly, they have complained that they have not been provided with any working facilities since 2080 BS and that they have been forced to buy cleaning materials and other items needed inside the prison at their own expense.
The prisoners have alleged that despite having a meeting room, they are not allowed to meet their families easily, and that food brought from home is banned. They say that they are threatened and beaten when they complain, that they are neglected in health care, and that they are taken to the hospital only when their condition is serious.
The prisoners have said that they have not been heard even when they complain to the District Administration Office. They have also alleged that there is financial manipulation within the prison. They say that even though the prisoners were paid Rs 1 million for cleaning the soil, they have not been paid for it. The protesting prisoners have warned that they will go on a hunger strike if their demands are not met.
The prisoners have alleged that money was collected from them in the past and that services have been cut after they stopped paying. ‘Financial manipulations are taking place here in connivance with the prison’s computer operator Nawaraj Gautam and jailer Santosh Bhatt,’ said a prisoner.
Meanwhile, jailer Santosh Bhatt of the Dadeldhura prison office has denied all the allegations raised by the prisoners. He said that the clothing allowance, which is given twice a year at the rate of Rs 2,500, was increased to Rs 4,000 last year, but this year due to budget shortage, the amount could not be given.
According to him, the problem arose when the prisoners immediately demanded Rs 4,000 even though the available budget could provide up to Rs 3,000 per person. He said that the protest was launched without understanding that they were doing well.
Dadeldhura Assistant Chief District Officer Amar Bahadur Oli said that according to the prison rules, there is a provision to receive Rs 4,000 for winter clothes. But he clarified that since the total budget of the prison office is only 350,000, the amount is not enough according to the number of prisoners. "We have already informed the department and ministry about the release of funds, and efforts are being made to resolve the problem," he said. Currently, there are 132 prisoners and detainees in Dadeldhura Prison.
