Saturday, January 28 2006 20:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's Maoist rebels today (Jan 28,2006) threatened to take 'severe action' against candidates contesting the upcoming Municipal polls, prompting two dozen contenders to withdraw from the fray.

Maoists' commander in Kathmandu Prabha Kiran issued a statement asking people not to participate in the Municipal polls scheduled for February 8, warning that 'those who defy order should be prepared for action.'

He also said those who have registered their names as candidates should withdraw by Wednesday.

"We ask everybody to stay away from election process, campaign, and contesting the so-called election those who defy would face severe consequences," he added.

Meanwhile, two dozen candidates who filed nominations for the post of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Ward Chairmen have already withdrawn their names due to Maoist threat and family pressure, E-Kantipur.com, online edition of the national daily 'The Kathmandu Post' said.

In a separate development, Nepal Government yesterday (Jan 27,2006) released 16 political activists and student leaders who were detained last week for participating in pro-democracy agitations.

Those who were released include former Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya of Nepali Congress, Nepali Congress central members Govinda Raj Joshi, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Nepal Communist Party -UML leaders Siddhi Lal Singh and Raghuji Panta and Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader Khemraj Bhatta Mayalu, according to Nepali Congress sources.