Political leaders, human rights activists and legal advocates have demanded release of 24 Nepali citizens held in confinement by the police of Haryana State of India. At an interaction programme organised by Sat Literary Service Society, serious concerns were raised for the long detention of Nepali citizens by the Indian state police. Some 24 Nepali who have been in Satlok Asharam in connection of taking part in Satsang (a spiritual gathering) a year ago were inhumanely treated and detained by the Haryana Police. They are yet to be released and participants of the today’s programmes demanded their immediate release without any conditions. Informal Service Sector (INSEC) Centre’s President Subodhraj Pyakurel said the arrest of Nepali citizens from the Ashram was premeditated move of the Indian Government. Likewise, former lawmaker Kul Prasad Upreti said ill treatment and severe torture on Nepali citizens reached India for religious purpose was inhumane and there should be collective efforts from Nepalis to free them. Prior to this, the families of victims and various social organisations frequently appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, human rights organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepali Embassy in India and Indian Embassy here for help to free the detainees, but in vain, according to victims’ families. One Mukesh Karki from Itahari who released on bail from the prison in Haryana said the victims’ families are finding it very hard to manage two square meals as their sole bread winners are in the jail in foreign land with no cause. Human rights activist Bhawani Kharel, senior advocate Ramkrishna Kafle, Human Rights Organisation of Nepal Chair Indira Parasad Aryal and Human Rights Journalists Association Chair Chhatra Shanakar demanded an immediate release of the detainees.RSS