Central leader of underground Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Matrika Yadav, who has been in prison for the last year and a half, was released Tuesday.

Jail Authorities in Nakhu Prison released Yadav at the presence of human rights activists. Yadav’s release came following the agreement between the government and Maoist leadership to release all Maoist workers from jails and police custody.

Maoist had told the government that they would have to think twice about resuming peace talks if the government did not release Maoist workers including central leader Yadav.

The government last week had withdrawn some criminal cases against Yadav and decided to release him to create a congenial atmosphere for third round of talks.

Yadav was undergoing treatment in Bir Hospital for the last one week. He was taken to Nakhu Prison from the hospital and handed over to human rights activists.