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52 killed in fresh Nepal violence
At least 52 people were killed as fresh violence broke out between Maoists and security forces.
At least 52 people, including two security force personnel, were killed in central Nepal as fresh violence broke out between Maoists and security forces, initial reports said.
A nearly four-hour gun battle broke out on Sunday afternoon in Jaraytar in Sindhuli district, southeast of Kathmandu, resulting in the death of the security personnel and at least 50 rebels, the Himalayan Times daily reported on Monday.
However, there was no official confirmation as yet of the killings.
The army headquarters in Kathmandu confirmed the clash but said they were yet to receive full details.
The clash erupted when security forces pursued a group of Maoist rebels, said to be fleeing from an eastern district where they had fought the army last week and suffered casualties.
Initially, the around 700 guerrillas outnumbered the pursuing security personnel. However, additional troops were rushed from three districts and helicopters brought in for aerial surveillance, the report said.
The state media has kept silent about the clash, highlighting instead the inauguration of a school building in the capital by Queen Komal.
Last week, Nepal's new Government headed by King Gyanendra completed 100 days in power. Though the Government said there had been a marked improvement in the law and order situation, reports have been pouring in about increased Maoist activities.
Sunday's clash in central Nepal comes five days after the outlaws attacked four security posts overnight in eastern Siraha district last Monday. While the army said 40 guerrillas died in the attack, the private media reported eight civilians had also been killed after the rebels used them as human shields and forced them to carry their equipment.
The state media on Sunday reported a spate of abductions of around 1,000 students by rebels. Over 600 students were abducted from Tanahun and Palpa districts. The army rescued 600 students from Myagdi district in western Nepal Sunday. However, at least another 200 children are still missing after being abducted by the rebels from Salyan district in midwestern Nepal last week, the state media said.
Four foreign donor agencies on Sunday said they were suspending a road construction project in Kalikot district in midwestern Nepal, fearing for the safety of their staff after the insurgents roughed up two employees and forcibly took money from them.
