Relatives of inmates living at Banke Prison staged demonstrations in front of the District Administration Office on Sunday demanding relocation of prisoners kept in the earthquake-damaged building. The prison building constructed during the Rana regime has developed cracks and fissures following the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks. Around 570 prisoners have been kept at the prison, which has the capacity to accommodate only around 250 people. “Prisoners who could be granted amnesty should be released following the due process while others should be shifted to a safer place,” said Mahesh Singh, son of Bhagat Singh who is facing jail terms for his involvement in the violent political movement. “Who will be responsible if the jail collapses and something nasty happens to the inmates?” he questioned. Jailer Shyam Lamichhane said the though the buildings have not collapsed, it is frightening to stay there. Officials claimed that they have informed the concerned authorities of the matter and requested them to relocate the prisoners. CDO Bed Prakash Lekhak said the problem was not created due to the damaged prison building but due to an excessive number of prisoners kept there. He said granting amnesty to prisoners as demanded by their relatives is not possible.