Call to release Maoists in Indian jails

NEPAL: Nepal's prime minister should press for the release of communist rebels detained in neighboring India when he visits New Delhi this week, a senior rebel said.

Dinanath Sharma, a member of the Maoist rebel negotiating team, said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should make the release of the rebels a priority during his four-day visit to India.

Koirala is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Tuesday, in his first foreign trip. He became prime minister after weeks of protests forced King Gyanendra to give up powers in April this year.

"Release of all our leaders and cadres in jail was our first condition for peace talks and the government has agreed to that. Since the prime minister himself is going to India he should secure the release," Sharma said.

Sharma said there are at least 137 Maoists in Indian jails, including rebel leader Mohan Vaidhya, who was arrested at a hospital in India where he had gone for surgery.

Katmandu, Tuesday, AP