Yashwant Sinha released, calls off agitation

Hazaribagh, Feb 23 (UNI) Former External Affairs minister and Rajya Sabha member Yashwant Sinha was freed from jail last night to enable him to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi.

Mr Sinha also called off the 'lock and key' agitation following a communique from the Prime Minister that he was ready to talk with him.

The district administration also withdrew the cases against Mr Sinha and others.

He had launched the agitation on February 13 demanding review of the Centre's decision to close down the income tax training institution and Central excise and narcotic academy in the district.

The former Union minister was arrested on February 16 along with his supportes for violating prohibitory orders and locking Central government offices.

Mr Sinha, however, stated that he would resume his agitation if the Centre failed to withdraw its decision.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arjun Munda has urged the Union government to reconsider its decision to shift various Central government offices from Hazaribagh.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Munda stressed on the geographical importance of Hazaribagh.

UNI SCS SG YA SSC1321