1,200 detained civil society leaders set free in Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr 26 (UNI) More than 1,200 politicians and civil society representatives -- detained during and before the people's movement -- have been released, after King Gyanendra's announcement of revival of the Parliament in Nepal.

Prominent civil society leaders released from detention included former Justice of the Supreme Court Laxman Aryal, human rights defender Krishna Pahadi and former Speaker Damannath Dhungana.

Speaking at a huge programme organised in the Capital yesterday, Mr Pahadi said, ''The (political) parties should understand the demand of the country and announce the election of the constituent assembly.'' More than 4,000 political party leaders and workers and the civil society leaders were arrested from various parts of the country during the people's movement and among them over 1,200 were in custody until the King announced the reinstatement of the House.

King was forced to reinstate the House of Representatives after 19 days of general strikes and demonstrations by thousands of people in the Capital, defying curfew and ban on political rallies.

Historic rallies and demonstrations were held across the country with the participation of people from all walks of life, including the professionals, during the People's Movement-2.

Similar movement in 1990 had compelled the late King Birendra to restore democracy.

UNI XC VJ RK1630