Maoists have set free 19 security persons abducted during their raid on the district headquarters of Sarlahi, Malangwa, early this month.

Quoting Maoist leaders, a local journalist told Nepanews that that all 19 security personnel were released Wednesday from an undisclosed location in Sarlahi in the presence of human rights workers and journalists.

However, chief district officer Bhojraj Adhikari still remains in Maoist custody. The rebel leaders said he is safe with them, according to the journalist. The Maoists had released one security man few days ago.

Nearly two dozen people including 16 security personnel were killed when Maoists launched simultaneous attack on security bases and government officials in Malangwa on April 5. nepalnews.com mk/by Apr 19 06