Myanmar's new government granted amnesty to 83 prisoners Sunday, the country's traditional new year day, according to media reports.
According to the presidential pardon given, it was granted with an aim to bring about national reconciliation and to ensure peace of mind of the people on the occasion of the new year.
The release follows the action taken on April 8 when close to 200 prisoners including political activists and students facing trial were released.
The New Year’s day batch of releases includes five prisoners jailed in the Unity Journal case, sentenced in July 2014 for reporting on an alleged chemical weapons factory. They have been serving seven years with hard labour.
State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has pledged to seek presidential pardon for political prisoners and activists.