13,500 inmates escape amid violent protests in Nepal

Kathmandu: During ongoing anti-government protests in Nepal this week, 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country.

Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire told AFP that three police officers were killed during the unrest, and thousands of inmates fled from prisons nationwide amid the chaos.

Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds of prisoners pouring out of Dillibazar Jail in Kathmandu, as military personnel tried to control the situation.

According to news agencies, Nepal Police has withdrawn from most prisons and is now largely confined to police headquarters. In response to the deteriorating law and order, the Nepalese Army began patrolling the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday, announcing curfew orders via loudspeakers.

Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel has urged all protesters to end the demonstrations and opt for dialogue instead.

The unrest began on Monday when young citizens launched protests against a government-imposed ban on social media. The demonstrations quickly turned violent, with protesters attempting to storm Parliament and clashing with police. Several people were reported dead in the confrontations.

Despite the government's decision to lift the social media ban, protests have continued. As the situation worsened, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation.

However, the resignation did not stop the unrest. Protesters went on to attack homes of several politicians and vandalized both public and private buildings, escalating the crisis further.