Biratnagar, October 30

As many as 11 inmates died in the last three months at the district prison in Morang.

Of them, nine died in Koshi Zonal Hospital, Biratnagar and one each died in Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar and BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences, Dharan, in the course of treatment.

Citing the hospitals, police said most of the prisoners died due to respiratory problems.

According to the district prison administration, 17 inmates had been away from jail for treatment till today. Of them, three are receiving treatment at local health facilities, while others were referred to Kathmandu-based health facilities.

It added that an ambulance was placed on standby to take any ailing inmate to hospital.

It is speculated that there has been an epidemic outbreak in the jail. However, the prison administration has denied any spread of infectious diseases at the facility.

Jailer Prem Prasad Sapkota said most of the deceased inmates were suffering from various chronic diseases. The district prison has a capacity to house 300 inmates — 250 males and 50 females. However, the current prison population is 752.