Nepal frees two top political prisoners

Kathmandu, Apr 19: Nepal's royalist government freed two high-profile political prisoners today, a sign that King Gyanendra could be trying to end a violent two-week campaign against his rule.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the Nepal Communist Party (UML), and Ram Chandra Poudel, general secretary of the Nepali Congress, were freed at the Kathmandu district court to the cheers of over 100 activists.

The two parties are the largest in a seven-party alliance fighting to restore democracy in the kingdom. Six people have been killed in police firing on protesters during the campaign and hundreds wounded. Hundreds have also been arrested.

Reuters

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