Maoists release eight persons ‘arrested’ from Kathmandu The Maoists today released eight persons whom they had ‘arrested’ from various places in the capital on charges of being involved in criminal activities. The Maoists handed over the eight persons to their relatives amidst a press conference in Kathmandu. Those released were Megh Raj Shrestha, Tarini Thakur, Sishil Thapa, Rajesh Shrestha, Bom Bahadur Limbu, Deepak Lama, Umesh Shrestha and Sudhir Basnet. The Maoists also displayed weapons and vehicles used by suspected criminals as well as the jewelleries and cash looted by them. Commander of the Valley Brigade of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Chandra Bahadur Thapa ‘Sagar’ said they were released in line with the agreement between the seven parties and the Maoists signed on Tuesday. He said the eight persons were arrested in the course of massive manhunt launched by the PLA in the Valley to control crime. The Maoists said one Krishna Lama, who is accused of being involved in a plot to assassinate Maoist leaders, has been under PLA control and is facing investigation. Last month, the Maoists had released some 180 people who were accused of involving in various crimes in the Kathmandu Valley. nepalnews.com mk Nov 11 06