Resham Lal Chaudhary, the convict in the Tikapur incident that ended in the deaths of eight police personnel and a minor, has been released from jail with President Ramchandra Paudel granting him a pardon on the occasion of Republic Day today.
The former radio journalist was a leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, currently serving a life term after being convicted of masterminding the Tikapur Massacre dating back to August 24, 2015. As per the recommendations of the Council of Ministers on May 27 and 28, the President granted a pardon to 19 inmates including Chaudhary of their remaining jail terms. Seven police personnel, including a Senior Superintendent of Nepal Police and a toddler, were killed during violent protests in Tikapur in the run-up to the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal.