Following the massive prison riots during the July 2024 uprising, Bangladesh’s prison system plunged into unprecedented chaos.
- 2,240 inmates escaped from five major prisons during violent riots and armed attacks.
- Among them, 700 prisoners — including militants, death row convicts, and life-term criminals — remain missing even now.
- 20 firearms, including Chinese rifles and shotguns, are still missing.
- Prison online systems were destroyed, erasing critical inmate data.
- In Narsingdi alone, 826 inmates escaped after mobs broke open gates and set fire to facilities.
- Gazipur High Security Prison saw 202 inmates flee, mostly militants convicted under anti-terrorism laws.
- In Satkhira, attackers freed 596 inmates by breaking through security walls and gates.
- Sherpur witnessed 518 prisoners escape while 9 weapons were looted.
- Kushtia saw 98 prisoners break free after internal riots.
Authorities admit that many escapees, especially the 69 high-risk inmates (60 sentenced to death and 9 militants), may have fled abroad.
🔴 Law enforcement continues raids, but cannot confirm most fugitives’ whereabouts.
🔴 Looted firearms pose a severe threat to public security.
A senior prison official described the situation as a grave national security threat, yet claimed it is still “under control” despite the alarming number of escapees and missing weapo
