KATHMANDU, Dec 4: The government on Tuesday decided to scrap criminal cases filed against 207 cadres of the ruling UCPN (Maoist). A cabinet meeting held on Tuesday evening at Singha Durbar took the decision to this effect. According to a minister, 66 of the 207 Maoist cadres are from Gorkha, the home district of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.
The government decided to withdraw cases against Sagar Gurung, Shiva Kumar Shrestha, Narayan Deurali, Bhakti Lamichhane, Purna Bahadur Bagale and Ram Chandra Shrestha, among others, from Gorkha. [break]
Similarly, the government has decided to scrap cases against 40 Maoist cadres, including Wajir Pakhrin, Prem Mani Bhattarai and Bhuwan Thami from Sindhupalchowk and 26 Maoist cadres, including Purna Shahi from Sankhuwasabha. Criminal cases against 25 Maoist cadres, including Ram Das Ulak and Shiva Prasad Dahal from Kavre will also be withdrawn.
Likewise, eight Maoist cadres, including Hemlal Khadka, Bhim Bahadur Pun and Kamal Bahadur Bantha from Rukum, have also been freed of charges.
The minister said cases against 21 cadres including Dev Narayan Yadav from Siraha and Kamal Devakota from Sindhuli have also been withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the government has made key appointments at various government bodies. According to Minister for Information and Communications Raj Kishor Yadav, who is also government spokesperson, Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudyal has been appointed as the chairman of Nepal Electricity Authority, Digambhar Jha as chairman of Nepal Telecom Authority, Ajit Man Tamang as the member secretary of Lumbini Development Fund, Kul Bahadur Rokaya as the chairman of Karnali Development Commission and Jagdishwar Bahadur Pal as the chairman of Western Development Commission.
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