KATHMANDU: Political leaders, human rights activists and advocates have demanded release of 24 Nepali citizens detained by police in Haryana state of India.

At an interaction organised by Sat Literary Service Society, serious concerns were raised over the detention of Nepali citizens by the Indian state police.

As many as 24 Nepalis who were at the Satlok Asharam for taking part in a Satsang (a spiritual gathering) a year ago were detained by the Haryana Police. They are yet to be released and participants of the interaction today demanded their immediate release without any condition.

Informal Service Sector Centre (INSEC) Chairperson Subodh Raj Pyakurel said the arrest of Nepali citizens from the Ashram was premeditated move of the Indian government.

Likewise, former lawmaker Kul Prasad Upreti said ill treatment and severe torture on Nepali citizens who had reached India for religious purpose were inhumane and there should be collective efforts from Nepalis to free them.

Prior to this, the families of victims and various social organisations frequently appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, human rights organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepali Embassy in India and Indian Embassy here for help to free the detainees, but in vain, according to victims' families.

One Mukesh Karki from Itahari, who was released on bail from the prison in Haryana, said the victims' families were finding it very hard to manage basics as their sole bread winners were in the jail in a foreign land without any reason.

Human rights activist Bhawani Kharel, senior advocate Ramkrishna Kafle, Human Rights Organisation of Nepal Chair Indira Parasad Aryal and Human Rights Journalists Association Chair Chhatra Shanakar demanded an immediate release of the detainees.