Maoists abduct two political workers in Nepal

The Maoist rebels have not halted kidnapping and intimidation tactics despite extending their ceasefire with the government.

Suspected Maoists have abducted two political workers in Nepal, amid mounting criticism that the rebels have not halted kidnapping and intimidation tactics despite extending their ceasefire with the government.

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A Nepali Congress (NC) worker was reportedly abducted in Dhanusha district of southern Nepal and a CPN-UML cadre from Baglung in the west of the country.

NC sources said their activist Dipo Yadav had been abducted yesterday from Baramjhiya village.

Dhanusha district president of the party Ram Krishna Yadav calling upon the Maoists to immediately release the hostage and stop acts of extortion, abduction and coercion.

The rebels also kidnapped Hari Prasad Tiwari, a student leader affiliated to the CPN-UML from Gwalichaur in Baglung.

Meanwhile, a woman of Phidim village in Panchthar district in eastern Nepal tried to set herself on fire after allegedly being tortured by the rebels under the pretext of settling family a dispute.

The 25-year-old Tamang woman was dragged inside a hotel room by some Maoist cadres and physically tortured, The Kathmandu Post reported.

She sustained severe burn injuries on her face and chest in the suicide attempt.

The girl's mother urged human rights activists and journalists to help secure her release.

However, the Maoist's district secretary Lok Prasad Banjara claimed that the girl had voluntarily joined the party, the report said.