Nepal to free prisoners completing 33 pc of jail term

Kathmandu, Oct 6 (PTI) Nepal has decided to release all prisoners, who have completed one-third of their term, except those arrested under notorious crime, a senior minister said Monday.

The cabinet, in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", has decided to release all prisoners who have completed 33 percent jail term except those arrested for notorious crime under nine categories, Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam said.

The nine categories include rape, murder, drug
trafficking, human trafficking, wildlife trade, smuggling and
the like.

The cabinet had, earlier, given orders to release 372
prisoners, who had completed 50 percent of their jail term.

"The government has released them with the hope that they
would start afresh and lead a normal life by helping to
maintain law and order," Gautam said.

The government had also decided to release all those
prisoners, who have been detained for political reason under
various criminal offences after studying the real nature of
the charges, he said.

Gautam ascertained that much improvement has been made in
law and order situation during the past one month, since he
took charge of Home Ministry and added that he is committed to
completely control criminal activities within six month
period.

He also claimed that the government's crack down on the
illegal night-life business, which allegedly promotes
prostitution, has yielded good results.

The government recently ordered to close all dance bars,
night clubs and cabin restaurants operating after 11 pm in a
bid to control sex-trade, which was getting a fillip in the
name of night-life entertainment.

"After cracking down on restaurants and hotels promoting
sex-trade we have stopped cabin in cyber cafe, where young
boys and girls are lured to view adult sites," he said.

"The government will also tighten border security in
a bid to control smuggling and criminal activities in the
border area. We will make state presence in all the districts
across Nepal," he said.

The security situation has been improved and we need
cooperation from all sides to boost morale of the security
agencies, he said.

"The government is trying to establish a people oriented
police administration and the complaints received from the
general public will be seriously addressed," he said.

The government has also decided to construct residential
building for the accommodation of security personnel with
their families in 10 districts as a pilot project, he pointed
out.

He said the government has also taken steps to regularize
alcohol trade and take action against those who drive vehicles
under the influence of alcohol. PTI SBP