By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
Associated Press Writer
KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Communist rebels have abducted hundreds of villagers, students and teachers, apparently forcing them to attend rallies and indoctrination sessions in remote areas of the mountain kingdom, the army said Tuesday.
The fate of those abducted wasn't immediately clear, but victims of such kidnappings are usually released after spending a few days being lectured about the rebels' struggle to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy.
Rebel violence in Nepal has escalated since King Gyanendra seized control of the government in February. The king said the measure was necessary to quell the communist insurgency, which has left more than 11,500 people dead since 1996.
The rebels, who claim to be inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong, declared cease-fires in 2001 and 2003, but negotiations with the government failed both times.
At least 230 students and teachers were taken Sunday from the village of Himchadhari, about 375 miles northwest of Katmandu, the army said in a statement.
The same weekend, rebels kidnapped another 500 people in neighboring Gaira village and several villages in the remote mountains of Baitadi district to the south, the statement said.
``The terrorists are continuing murder, terror, kidnapping, looting and similar activities,'' the army said.
The Maoist rebels did not immediately respond to the army's statement.
The mass abductions came despite the guerrillas' promise not to go after civilians during a unilateral cease-fire they declared Sept. 3.
Rebels said the cease-fire was intended to allow for a resumption of peace talks. The insurgents said they would defend their positions during the cease-fire but not attack any government officials or civilians.
However, human rights groups have accused the insurgents of taking hostages, and the abductions are the latest sign that little has changed for the vast majority of Nepalese.
In fresh violence over the weekend, the army said soldiers killed at least eight rebels in two separate incidents - the first reported violence since the cease-fire was announced.
The rebels claimed their fighters were arrested and then executed while the army said soldiers on patrol came under attack and the rebels were killed in ensuing gun battles.
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The fate of those abducted wasn't immediately clear, but victims of such kidnappings are usually released after spending a few days being lectured about the rebels' struggle to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy.
Rebel violence in Nepal has escalated since King Gyanendra seized control of the government in February. The king said the measure was necessary to quell the communist insurgency, which has left more than 11,500 people dead since 1996.
The rebels, who claim to be inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong, declared cease-fires in 2001 and 2003, but negotiations with the government failed both times.
At least 230 students and teachers were taken Sunday from the village of Himchadhari, about 375 miles northwest of Katmandu, the army said in a statement.
The same weekend, rebels kidnapped another 500 people in neighboring Gaira village and several villages in the remote mountains of Baitadi district to the south, the statement said.
``The terrorists are continuing murder, terror, kidnapping, looting and similar activities,'' the army said.
The Maoist rebels did not immediately respond to the army's statement.
The mass abductions came despite the guerrillas' promise not to go after civilians during a unilateral cease-fire they declared Sept. 3.
Rebels said the cease-fire was intended to allow for a resumption of peace talks. The insurgents said they would defend their positions during the cease-fire but not attack any government officials or civilians.
However, human rights groups have accused the insurgents of taking hostages, and the abductions are the latest sign that little has changed for the vast majority of Nepalese.
In fresh violence over the weekend, the army said soldiers killed at least eight rebels in two separate incidents - the first reported violence since the cease-fire was announced.
The rebels claimed their fighters were arrested and then executed while the army said soldiers on patrol came under attack and the rebels were killed in ensuing gun battles.
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