KATHMANDU ; The Supreme Court today directed government authorities to produce three free Tibet activists before the apex court within 24 hours.

A single bench of Justice Top Bahadur Magar issued the order following today's initial hearing. The bench told the authorities-the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Police Headquarters and the Kathmandu District Police Circle Hanumandhoka-to produce them before the apex court within 24 hours.

The bench told the authorities to produce Sherav Dhendup, Sonam Dhendup and Kelsang Dhendup and explain over their arrest and the reason of their preventive detention.

On March 10, they were arrested from Boudha in charge of chanting free Tibet slogans and involved in anti-China movement. The next day, the Kathmandu District Administration Office had given its nod to keep them into preventive detention.

Accusing them of being involved in activities, which posed threat on the relation between Nepal and China, they were arrested and detained.

Following their arrest, separate habeas corpus petitions were lodged by their relatives seeking the apex court intervention and demanded them to release.