 "File-A demonstrator carrying a weapon takes part in a protest in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters")
Around 540 Indian nationals serving prison sentences in Nepal remain absconding following the Gen Z-led protests, the Department of Prison Management reported on Sunday.
During the second day of anti-government demonstrations on September 9, more than 13,000 prisoners escaped from jails across Nepal. Authorities said at least 5,000 Nepali citizens are still at large, along with 540 Indians and 108 prisoners of other nationalities.
The government has issued nationwide alerts to locate the escapees, and the Home Ministry has instructed absconding prisoners to return to their respective detention centres. Ten inmates died during clashes with security forces, while 7,735 of those who fled have either returned voluntarily or been recaptured, officials reported on September 28.
The unrest erupted on September 8 and 9, when thousands of youths under the banner of the Gen Z group held anti-government protests in Kathmandu, resulting in 76 deaths.
With inputs from agencies