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Central & South Asia
'Rebel' police free Nepali officers
Junior policemen, protesting over alleged ill-treatment, surrender to officials.
Last Modified: 14 Jul 2008 07:23 GMT

Policemen stand guard at the main gate of their camp after their revolt in Nepalgunj

Seven senior Nepali police officers, taken hostage by their subordinates in a protest over alleged ill-treatment and poor food, have been released.

The junior officers who held them have surrenderd, police said on Monday.

"The rebel policemen have surrendered to me and laid down their arms," Bharat Bahadur Gharti Chhetri, the most senior police official in the area where the incident occured, said by phone.

"All seven officers have been freed unharmed. They are with me right now."

The protest broke out on Saturday at a camp in Nepalgunj, about 500km west of Kathmandu, the capital.

Initial reports said about 500 riot police officers had taken part in the protest, though later reports put the figure at only 200.

Police officers loyal to the protesters were reported to be watching over the entrances to the camp and shots could be heard, although officials said that no one had been hurt.

Officials say the junior policemen will now be charged with indiscipline.

The incident was the latest in a series of revolts by junior policemen over their treatment by senior ranking officers.

Source:
Agencies
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