Himal Press 
POKHARA: Inmates who escaped from Kaski District Prison during the Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9 have been arrested for investigation into a series of thefts in Pokhara in recent days.
Sumit Thapa Magar (24), a permanent resident of Pyuthan and currently residing in Nadipur, Pokhara-3, had been arrested up to eight times on various charges. He managed to escape from prison along with other inmates on September 9.
A team from Ward Police Office, Baidam, successfully arrested him and 27-year-old Sujan Pariyar, a resident of Dhading currently living in Nadipur, Pokhara-3, from Ramghat.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Magar had previously been arrested up to eight times for offenses including indecent behavior, attempted theft, theft, and some public offenses. Similarly, Pariyar had also been arrested in a case of indecent behavior.
Both defendants have been remanded by the Kaski District Court for further investigation under theft and dacoity offences, according to Inspector Ganesh Pandey.
Police investigation revealed that the two stole cash and goods from four different locations over a period of about one and a half months since their escape from the prison.
Police say Sumit stole Rs 41,000 after breaking the drawer of the counter table inside Pokhara Laxmi Traders in Pokhara-13. In the third week of November, both Maga and Pariyar were found to be involved in the theft of a Honda Dio scooter from Pokhara-4.
A few days later, Magar was involved in the theft of Rs 273,000 from Aarus Stores in Pokhara-17.
Similarly, Magar and Pariyar were involved in stealing Rs 35,000 cash, checks, a vehicle registration card, and an ATM card from a vehicle parked in New Road, Pokhara.
A total of 773 inmates had escaped from Kaski Prison during the Gen Z protests. Although most have returned, 180 are still on the run, according to Prison Chief Rajendra Sharma.
Sharma added that the fugitives mostly include those serving sentences for serious offenses such as rape and drug-related crimes.
