Nepal releases former Dy PM Ram Paudel

However, deposed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba remains under arrest on a corruption charge, as do several journalists and opposition party leaders.

Meanwhile, the US has delayed a shipment of M-16 Rifles to Nepal in an effort to encourage its government to restore democracy and civil rights, even as it said it has been engaged in a frequent dialogue with India on the situation in the kingdom, including the Maoist insurgency.

‘‘The US has delayed a shipment of M-16 Rifles while we encourage restoration of civil liberties and multi-party democracy’’ in the kingdom, visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Donald A Camp, told reporters here today.

Camp, however, said the US would continue training the Royal Nepalese Army in the fields of legal and human rights. Future military supplies to the kingdom would be considered in line with steps to restore democracy.

Replying to a question, he said the US had been engaged in a frequent dialogue with India on the situation in Nepal, including the Maoist insurgency.

Terming the February 1 royal takeover as a ‘‘big step backward’’ for democracy, Camp called on all the ‘‘legitimate’’ political forces to unite to bring Nepal back into a multi-party democratic framework and to address the Maoist problem. He also appreciated the common agenda adopted by seven political parties to restore democracy and civil rights. —PTI