Nepal Maoist rebels put top royalists on hit list

Nepalese Maoist rebels today released a hit list of key figures in the absolute monarchy that ended in 1990, amid street protests against the current strongarm tactics of King Gyanendra.

Nepalese Maoist rebels today released a hit list of key figures in the absolute monarchy that ended in 1990, amid street protests against the current strongarm tactics of King Gyanendra.

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The Maoist leadership issued a statement saying the rebels over the next eight days would "take action" against "the criminals" who led the bureaucracy during the three decades of royal rule.

The rebels, who are waging a bloody insurgency to overthrow the monarchy, said they would target those named in a report by a commission formed after the restoration of democracy in 1990 to investigate past abuses.

"The rebels have decided to take action for eight days from Sunday against all those listed in the report even though action against the criminals had been dropped," said a statement signed by Maoist leader Prachanda.

The report had named top leaders under the current pro-royal government, including Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Home Minister Kamal Thapa and former prime minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, among 35 people who allegedly abused authority under non-democratic rule.

They escaped prosecution after then-King Birendra took responsibility, saying that any abuses under the former regime were carried out in his name.

A home ministry official said the government was aware of the Maoist hit list but declined comment on any extra security measures.