CaliToday (11/9/2005): Nepal is facing a severe crisis as violent protests escalate and spread across the nation, leading to widespread chaos and a breakdown of order. In a dramatic sign of the escalating turmoil, the country's tallest hotel was set ablaze by demonstrators. In an even more alarming development, authorities have reported a mass prison break, with more than 13,500 inmates escaping amid the pandemonium.
The unrest, which has been building for some time, has now erupted into violent confrontations in major cities and towns. The situation took a destructive turn when protesters targeted and successfully set fire to a landmark high-rise hotel, a symbol of the nation's tourism industry, sending plumes of smoke over the capital's skyline and signaling a new level of intensity in the demonstrations.
Compounding the crisis is the near-total collapse of security at correctional facilities. Reports confirm that a staggering number of over 13,500 prisoners have broken out of jails across the country. This mass escape raises grave concerns about public safety and the government's ability to maintain control, as thousands of convicted criminals are now at large.
Security forces appear overwhelmed as they struggle to contain the violent demonstrations and simultaneously manage the unprecedented prison break. The government has yet to issue a comprehensive statement on its plan to restore order, leaving both citizens and the international community deeply concerned about the stability of the Himalayan nation.
