190 Maoist Rebels Freed From Nepal Prisons
The Nepalese government freed 190 imprisoned communist rebels Tuesday after withdrawing terrorism cases against them as part of efforts to forge peace with the insurgents, official said.
Home Ministry spokesman Baman Prasad Neupane said they were freed from prisons in nine cities and towns across this Himalayan nation.
The government had announced a day earlier that anyone jailed under an anti-terrorism law imposed by the previous government of King Gyanendra would be freed.
“Today marks a victory for us. We are stepping into a free Nepal,” said Binda Yadav, who had been in prison for 17 months.
About 160 rebels remain in jail and will be freed once legal technicalities are completed, he said.
The new government reached a cease-fire with the rebel leaders, began peace talks last month and freed hundreds of Maoists and supporters who had been held on lesser charges. But many remained in prison on charges that include murder, kidnapping and crimes against the state under the anti-terrorism laws.
In April, after weeks of street protests by the alliance of seven major political parties, Gyanendra was forced to give up absolute power, reinstate parliament and appoint a new prime minister.
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