Sudurpaschim Province Assembly lawmaker Devaki Malla, who was abducted on Friday morning by the cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, has been released. 

Police said cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal released lawmaker Malla at Bagadipauta in Kedarsyu Rural Municipality-5 around four hours of her abduction. DSP Prawin Dhital said that lawmaker Malla was found unharmed. “We are investigating into the incident to find out more details,” said DSP Dhital.

Cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal abducted lawmaker Malla from Sainsu of Kedarsyu Rural Municipality while she was on her way to take part in a programme organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day in the district at around 11 am.

After her abduction, a Bajhang district commander of the party said they abducted lawmaker Malla for interrogation after she failed to play effective role in finding out the culprit (s) of Nirmala Pant rape and murder case as a lawmaker of the province.

Locals said that around 30-35 cadres of Communist Party of Nepal took Malla to a jungle in Bungal Municipality after abducting her.

The district commander said that Malla was abducted in retaliation to Chairperson of Akhil Nepal Mahila Sangh Krantikari (sister organisation of Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal), Bindu Chand’s, arrest by the police at a programme two days ago in Achham. According to the party commander, the move also came in response to police interference at a women’s association programme held in Deura of Bajhang on Thursday.