Jhumka prison under scrutiny after four inmate deaths in two weeks

ITAHARI: Jhumka Prison of Sunsari has come under scrutiny after four inmates died and dozens fell ill in the past 15 days. This has raised serious concerns about the safety and health of prisoners in the largest correctional facility in Koshi Province.

Jaleshwar Yadav (46) of Rajbiraj Municipality-8, Saptari, died while undergoing treatment on Wednesday evening. According to police, Yadav, who was awaiting trial in a rape case, developed fever and breathing difficulties before his death.

“The outbreak of fever is not limited to the prison; cases are being reported in different parts of the district,” Sunsari Police Chief SP Suman Kumar Timilsina said. “Even four of our own police officers are down with fever. A team of doctors carried out medical checks of all inmates until late last night.”

The medical team included 11 doctors from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan, six from Sunsari District Hospital in Inaruwa, three from the Police Hospital and two from Vedanta Hospital. They examined inmates until 1 am on Thursday and collected blood samples.

Out of 353 inmates checked, many showed symptoms of fever, fatigue and respiratory issues. Doctors suspect cholera or a viral outbreak as the cause.

Thirteen inmates with high fever are currently receiving treatment at BPKIHS Dharan, according to Prison Warden Ram Niraula. “If the number of patients continues to rise, we will arrange further medical checks and treatment,” he said, adding that the medical team is on high alert.

Earlier, on August 20, 28-year-old inmate Bikash Rai of Bhojpur died after collapsing suddenly inside the prison. Two more inmates, Ramdev Urau (48) of Gadhi Rural Municipality-6 and Sagar Rai (24) of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-10, died on August 31 and September 1, respectively.

According to SP Timilsina, three of the deceased had been transferred from other district prisons to Jhunkha for easier access to nearby hospitals but died during treatment. Wednesday’s victim, however, was a long-term inmate of Jhunkha itself.

The recent spate of deaths prompted the Sunsari District Security Committee to order the prison administration to set up an immediate health camp inside the facility. Chief District Officer Dharmendra Mishra had earlier directed prison officials to conduct regular health screenings of inmates.

Jhumka Prison currently houses 1,793 inmates. Relatives of inmates have long complained that the prison lacks adequate healthcare infrastructure and staff compared to its large inmate population.