Kathmandu, Jan 24: The government has decided to transfer all juvenile offenders aged above 18 to a dedicated correction facility in Nuwakot following repeated incidents of violence at various juvenile correction centres, including a fresh clash at the Sanothimi-based Juvenile Correction Centre late Thursday night.
The latest incident erupted at around 9:45 pm and escalated into arson and vandalism, injuring eight detainees and 20 police personnel and rendering the facility uninhabitable. Authorities said the unrest once again highlighted the risks of housing adult offenders alongside younger juveniles.
All detainees from the Sanothimi centre have since been relocated to child monitoring units at police stations across Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts.
According to Bhaktapur District Police Range Chief SP Surya Bahadur Khadka, seven injured police personnel were discharged after treatment at the Nepal–Korea Friendship Hospital, while one remains under medical care. Injured detainees received treatment at nearby hospitals and are now under police supervision.
Home Minister Aryal orders swift transfer of juvenile offenders...
Police said the violence began after clashes between two gangs inside the facility, allegedly led by adult inmates. “The dispute quickly turned violent, with parts of the centre set on fire,” SP Khadka said.
The correction centre is operated by Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programs Nepal (UCEP-Nepal), where armed police personnel are not allowed inside the premises. Khadka said unarmed guards stationed at the gate were unable to control the situation as detainees pelted stones and set fires.
A police team led by Thimi Police Circle Inspector Nawaraj Dhungana was later deployed but also faced resistance. As the situation worsened, around 50 Armed Police Force personnel were mobilised. Fire engines from Bhaktapur and Kathmandu brought the blaze under control by midnight. Security remains tight in the area.
A similar incident occurred at the same centre on August 21, 2023, when 221 inmates escaped following clashes triggered by the death of a detainee, causing panic in surrounding neighbourhoods.
The centre currently houses 169 detainees, including about 84 individuals above 18 years of age. Of the total, 24 are girls. Police said a detailed assessment of damage caused by arson and vandalism is underway.
Officials acknowledged that the lack of separate facilities for offenders who have crossed the legal juvenile age has fuelled repeated unrest. “Gang leaders aged around 25 intimidate younger inmates and form groups, which often leads to violence,” Khadka said.
A high-level meeting on Thursday involving Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha, and security chiefs discussed long-term solutions. Aryal stressed that while human rights must be respected, violence and impunity would not be tolerated.
As a long-term measure, the government has ordered a vacant block at Nuwakot Prison to be converted into a correction facility exclusively for offenders above 18. Ministers also directed agencies to strengthen coordination to ensure the swift transfer of adult inmates. A similar facility has been inaugurated in Gorkha but is yet to become operational.
Officials said the move aims to improve safety for younger detainees and restore order in the juvenile justice system.
