36 leaders and cadres of political parties were released on Tuesday following the order of the Supreme Court.

Those released include CPN UML leader Bidhya Bhandari and Khim Lal Bhattrai of All Nepal National Free Student Union, among others.

Meanwhile, the court asked the government to furnish reasons for the detention of 135 pro-democracy activists including Professor Bhupati Dhakal and Dr. Sasanka Koirala.

The government arrested hundreds of pro-democracy activists from demonstrations of seven political parties organized for the restoration of complete democracy in the country. nepalnews.com pb Apr 18 06