The authorities on Sunday released 14 more Taliban from Daggar prison in Buner district under a peace accord between the NWFP government and the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi in Swat, according to officials.
The officials told Daily Times that the number of released Taliban now stood at 48, and more would be freed in phases. They claimed that normalcy was gradually returning to Swat 'because of the release of the Taliban'.
They said the government was fulfilling the promises made under the accord with the Taliban, and "it is now their turn to play their role in restoring peace in the valley".
The release of Taliban prisoners was one of the group's demands for the restoration of peace in the region. The government officials said the decision to free the Taliban was also a goodwill gesture, in addition to being part of the peace accord.
Meanwhile on Sunday, hundreds of residents of Swat protested against the deployment of security personnel at mosques and in residential areas.
Following the protest, security forces left their position from Salanda mosque.
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