Nepalgunj, October 27:

The mid-western regional office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Maoists to release seven civilians of Syanikhal-7 Salyan from their custody immediately and unconditionally.

On October 23, Maoists had taken seven civilians, including Rajendra Bahadur Chalaune, 25, from Gorusinge of Kapilvastu, under their control, sources at the NHRC said. A complaint filed in the NHRC said the Maoists had handcuffed the seven and taken them away. The complaint said the abductees have been kept in Hapure, Dang.

A statement issued today by the regional director of the NHRC, Bed Prasad Bhattarai, urged the Maoists to free the abductees immediately and unconditionally.

Maoist sources, however, said that four civilians were released the day they were taken away. Maoist Dang area No-4 in-charge Biplav said: “Only three civilians, Rajendra Chalaune, Ganesh Thapa and Prem Gharti, are in Maoist captivity. ”