June 27, 2005

90 students abducted by Maoists in Nepal

h/t World Mag Blog.

CNN:


The children were taken from a remote mountain village about 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Kathmandu, according to the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in a statement released late Sunday.

They were abducted on Wednesday from Nepal Rashtriya Secondary School in Amrahi village of Gulmi district and taken in the direction of the village of Darling.

Their current condition and whereabouts are unknown. But according to The Associated Press, there are no army or police bases near the village.

The Maoists have not responded to the army accusations, but rebels have regularly seized students in areas where they maintain control.

Last year, rebel leader Baburam Bhattarai took exception to the word "abduction," saying the children are taken for cultural campaigns and indoctrination sessions, and usually sent home in a few days.

But in this instance they have been missing for five days.

Nepal has been in the grips of a violent Maoist insurgency since February 1996. It has worsened since King Gyanendra seized absolute power in February promising to quell the insurgency.

Posted by Suzanne

By at 12:18 PM | |