Kathmandu, April 23:

Seven agitating prisoners of the Dillibazaar Sadarkhor prison are in a critical condition, while three others are suffering from urinary problems.

Seeking general amnesty, 182 inmates of the prison are on a fast-unto-death for six days.

Inmates Ratna Lama, Arun Thapa Magar, Pradip Thapa Magar and Sano Babu Thapa were taken to a hospital today.

After visiting the prison, a rights activist, Sudip Pathak, said over 90 per cent of the agitating inmates were in a serious condition. “Some 51 inmates selected as volunteers have been looking after the agitating inmates.”

According to Pathak, eight members of the Human Rights Monitoring National Committee and Human Rights Organisation Nepal visited the prison to acquire information about the health of agitating inmates.

President of the Struggle Committee Durga Dutta Devkota said some 20 foreigners, excluding Indian inmates of the prison, are also on the fast-unto-death. A team comprising officials of the United Nations and National Human Rights Commission also visited the prison today, he said.

Devkota said the inmates have been demanding general amnesty, adding that they will not give up till their demand is met. Jailor Krishna Prasad Sapkota said that the inmates, who are in a critical condition, were asked to visit hospital, but to no avail. He said two doctors have been taking care of the jailed inmates.

The agitating inmates have locked up the entrance of the prison. They have been blocking the entry of new inmates for six days. The inmates burnt the effigy of acting Home secretary Baman Prasad Neupane on Saturday.

The inmates of the Nakkhu jail are also seeking general amnesty.

“We are aware of their demands and their situation. But the government can’t do anything within a few days as there is no legal provision to address their demands,” Baman Prasad Neupane, the acting Home secretary, said, adding that the government has provided medical services to the inmates.