Kathmandu: More than 5,000 prisoners, including several notorious criminals, remain at large across Nepal, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Speaking at a meeting of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly at Singha Durbar on Thursday, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal informed that a total of 14,554 prisoners had escaped from various prisons during the Gen-G movement, of which 9,441 have been recaptured so far.

Minister Aryal said the Nepal Police has launched a nationwide special operation to arrest the remaining escapees. The ministry has also made the list of escaped prisoners public and instructed all government offices not to provide services to them if they attempt to access public facilities.

He added that a task force has been formed in every district administration office, coordinated by the Assistant Chief District Officer, to locate and rearrest the escapees. “Special security operations are underway across the country,” he said.

Highlighting the government's focus on maintaining law and order ahead of the upcoming elections, Minister Aryal said that escaped prisoners and looted weapons have been identified as major security challenges.

He further stated that the government has made arrangements for free medical treatment and identity cards for those injured during the Gen-G movement, and that preparations are ongoing to grant voting rights to Nepali citizens living abroad.