Nepal's Maoists began military training for its cadres and fresh recruitment as they stepped up their anti-government protests amid threats by the ruling alliance to deploy heavy force to maintain law and order, a news report said on Friday.
Nepal has placed its army and police forces on high alert as the Maoists staged rallies and paralysed government offices across the country to dislodge the 22-party coalition in a dispute with the President over the reinstatement of the former army chief.
The UCPN-Maoists, who earlier warned the government that they would be compelled to take up arms if force was used to quell the protest, have recruited scores of youths and began to impart military training in Sindhuli district.
More than 100 youths were receiving military training at Madhutar in the district headquarters for the last one week, the Kantipur online said.
"My dream of becoming a Maoist combatant materialised as the party recently announced recruitment," said Ritu Lama, a 16-year-old from Kamalamai Municipality-3. She has been training along with her friends as new recruits to the Maoist guerrilla force.
"I am undergoing training now so that I can fight against foes on behalf of the party," the Nepalese news portal quoted Lama, who showed off a leg wound sustained during the training.
{{/usCountry}}"I am undergoing training now so that I can fight against foes on behalf of the party," the Nepalese news portal quoted Lama, who showed off a leg wound sustained during the training.
{{/usCountry}}The Maoists were providing training to the activists of its youth wing, Young Communist League (YCL), who were selected from 13 areas of the district, according to a report based on Maoists' sources.