Friday, April 1 2005 19:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Former Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and 284 other activists detained when the king seized power in February have been released, the Nepali Congress (NC) party and officials said today (April 1, 2005).

Koirala, NC leader and Nepal's first elected premier, was released from house arrest at 1800 hrs (IST), party spokesman Shovar Parajuli said.

Koirala, 82, had been held since February 1 when King Gyanendra sacked the Government and declared emergency rule in the Himalayan outpost.

The 284 other activists were released from various parts of the country, officials said.