Putting forth their four-point demand including release of all ‘prisoners of conscience’, Maoist leaders and cadres detained at various jails in Kathmandu have started hunger strike.
Ten each Maoist inmates of Nakkhu Jail, Central Jail and Sadar Khor (prison), Dilli Bazaar, have been carrying out hunger strike from Sunday demanding the scrapping of the anti-terrorism law, immediate release of all political detainees, disclosure of the condition of involuntarily disappeared persons and action against those involved in ‘war crimes’.
Maoist leaders Krishna KC, Kailash Yadav and Tara Bhandari have been leading the hunger strikes in Nakkhu Jail, Central Jail and Sadar Khor respectively. Saying that the government has not started the process to address these demands even after the declaration of ceasefire from the both sides, the detained Maoists have warned of starting fast-unto-death from Saturday if the demands were not met.
Maoist women activists detained in these three jails and Bhadra Hriha have also been carrying out relay hunger strike since last two days expressing solidarity to the protest of detainees of Nakhhu Jail.
Meanwhile, Maoist politburo member Matrika Yadav who has been detained at Nakkhu Jail for some months has declined his release order saying he would not come in the open unless all 68 political prisoners kept at the jail were freed.
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