Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 16:

Seven noted intellectuals today jointly appealed to King Gyanendra for the release of Professor Lokraj Baral who was arrested by security personnel at Tribhuvan International Airport while returning home from New Delhi on February 7.

“Prof Baral is an independent academician and his detention without any reason has worried all professors, teachers, intellectuals and journalists of the country,” said a joint press statement issued today. The statement added no society could move ahead by curbing free ideas and thoughts and that there would be difficulty finding a way out of the problems faced by the country.

Those who appealed to the King for Baral’s release are Dhruba Kumar, Krishna Khanal, Hari Sharma, Krishna Hachhethu, Dalman Dahal, Kanak Mani Dixit and Abhi Subedi.