KATHMANDU: The government has released Dharmendra Bastola, a third-ranked leader of the Biplav group, who was being held in Kavre.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had on Thursday issued a circular to release all detained leaders and cadres of the Biplav-led Nepal Communist Party after the government and the group led by Netra Bikram Chand sealed a three-point agreement on Thursday.

The ministry had written a letter to the police headquarters directing all Chief District Officers to process the case in coordination with the district public prosecutor.

Home Ministry Spokesperson Chakra Bahadur Budha said, “Concerned Chief District Officers (CDOs) have been instructed to complete the process and release the leaders and cadres while the other cases will be facilitated through the district public prosecutor.”

According to Central Police Spokesperson SSP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, 2,098 leaders and cadres of the Biplav group were arrested so far. Of them, 126 are in custody for trial and 18 are still in custody.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had already sought full details of the case against the leaders and cadres of the Biplav from the District Administration Offices of 77 districts and the police offices.