Kathmandu, April 12:

The condition put forward by the Maoists that five of their cadres be freed in exchange for the release of Sarlahi Chief District Officer Bodhraj Adhikari has drawn the “serious” attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The rights body has urged the Maoists to immediately and unconditionally release Adhikari, who was kidnapped on April 5 following an attack on Sarlahi district headquarters, Malangawa. “Putting forward conditions for the release of one person against reciprocal release of another person is against international law,” the NHRC said today.