Surkhet, November 23:

The murder cases filed against CPN (Maoist) leaders — including Finance Minister Dr Baburam

Bhattarai and Information and Communications Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara — in the district were withdrawn today.

The Surkhet District Court withdrew the cases today as per the government’s October 28 decision.

The court also decided to withdraw 13 types of cases filed against 138 persons.

On March 8, 2001, a murder charge was filed in Surkhet District Court against 29 Maoist leaders, including Dr Bhattarai, Mahara, Netra Bikram Chanda ‘Biplab’, Dharmendra Bastola, Constituent Assembly member Kali Bahadur Malla and Nar Bahadur Bista.

The court also decided to withdraw the cases of crime against the state filed against six persons, including Gopal Bahadur Karki. Cases against 38 persons, including Bikas Gurung, who were charged for helping prisoners flee, have also been withdrawn.

The Surkhet District Court also withdrew cases against five persons, including Yam Bahadur Nepali.

Cases against three persons, including Bishnu Prasad Chaudhary, who were charged with committing crime against the state have also been withdrawn.

Similarly, the court also decided to withdraw separate cases against 21, including Jhak Bahadur Malla and 3 persons, including Ram Bahadur Rasaili. They were also charged with the same offense.

The case against Moti Rana on the same offense has also been withdrawn, district lawyer Parashwor Dhungana said.

Dhungana said the court withdrew the cases as per the government’s decision of October 28.

Meanwhile, three prisoners of conscience, who were imprisoned in Surkhet prison, have been

freed today following the court’s direction.

The released have been identified as Dil Bahadur Nepali of Hariharpur and Bishna BK and Reshma Bista of Ghatgaon. Nepali was accused of murder. While Bishna and Reshma were put behind bars for murder and under the arms and ammunition act.

Reshma and Bishna were arrested from Kunathari some seven years ago. Nepali was arrested

from Solighopte in the district.

Expressing happiness over their release, Nepali, BK and Bista have promised to sacrifice themselves for party’s welfare.