The inmates ran away through the tunnel at around 12.30 AM, said Rapti Zonal Police Chief Uttam Bahadur Singh. Among the escapees are Arjun Sen, Raj Bahadur Oli, Dhruba Dangi, Champhe BK, Deepak Pun, Basanta Rokam Krishna Oli and Raju Thapa.
Most of them are convicted in crimes such as rape, dacoit and rhino horn smuggling, Singh said.
Though the police came to know about the jailbreak at around 12.30 last night, security personnel could not open fire to stop the fleeing inmates as they were taking a route through the school residential area, said acting Police Chief in Rolpa, Saroj Poudel.
A squad of 19 police personnel were deputed for security at the prison. A massive number of security personnel has been mobilized at checkpoints across the district since last night and the search for the culprits has been intensified, Rapti Police Chief Sing.
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