Kathmandu, Apr 21 (IANS): The relatives of 44 Nepali workers, who have been languishing in a prison in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, have requested the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take the initiative for their release, a media report said on Friday.

"Our relatives are innocent. The country should take the initiative for their immediate release," Dhana Bhandari of Shuklaphanta Municipality-4 told NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma on Wednesday, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Bhandari's husband, Bahadur, was arrested along with 44 other Nepalis for staging a protest demanding raise. They were all employed by a hydropower company. Bhandari claimed the Indian authorities have already released the Indian workers who were also arrested in the same incident.

"The Indian authorities have barred us from making any kind of contact with our relatives. We have informed the local administration and the Prime Minister's Office about the situation, but there has been no response so far," she added.

The NHRC Chairman has assured to look into the case and take necessary action.