Surkhet, May 30:

The Maoists yesterday released ten persons, including five teachers of the proposed Kalapani Lower Secondary School, Surkhet, whom they had abducted on May 17.

The Maoists released the abductees after much pressure from human rights activists and Teachers’ Union, Surkhet. Among those released were teachers Ishta Kumar Shrestha, Bal Bahadur Khatri, Roshan Kumar Oli, Rabindra KC and Ganga Bahadur Adhikari, one Deepak Oli and local women Ratna Thapa, Laxmi Sharma, Main Kali Budha and Parbati Budha.

Headmaster of the school, Top Bahadur Adhikari, who had also been abducted managed to flee the same day.

Maoist local area In charge Bharat, before releasing the abductees, apologised for physical action taken against the abducted teachers.

He claimed that the teachers were abducted as per the complaints filed by local residents and that the teachers should also apologise for their actions.

Chairman of Teachers’ Union, Surkhet, Dhan Singh Khadka condemned torture meted out by Maoists to the teachers and said the union is investigating into the incident.

The Maoists have agreed not to carry out any activities affecting the school while the Union also agreed to investigate into the teachers’ behaviour.