KATMANDU - Nepal’s monarchist government lifted house arrest imposed on three top dissidents to deter weekend anti-government rallies. Troops guarding the homes of former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, president of the Nepali Congress party, Khadga Prasad Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal and Narayan Man Bijuchche of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party ended their weekend lockdown aimed at thwarting demonstrations against King Gyanendra’s nearly yearlong absolute rule. “The policemen left this evening and now I think I am free to move out,” Oli said by telephone.The three opposition leaders were among five put under house arrest on Friday when the government imposed a curfew and took other steps to block rallies in Katmandu.
A planned mass rally on Friday never came off, but police arrested hundreds of activists who rallied in the streets on Saturday. About 50 people were injured in clashes between demonstrators and police.
Close aides of Koirala and Bijuchche also confirmed their release Sunday. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears that they would be targeted for arrest. Two of Oli’s party colleagues, Madhav Nepal and Bharat Mohan Adhikari, remained under house arrest.