Ilam, May 6 :

The Maoists are yet to release 13 persons abducted from Ilam in 2005 and 2006 though almost two weeks have passed since they announced a three-month-long ceasefire.

Kin of the abductees claim that they haven’t even been informed about their whereabouts, till date. Among those who are yet to be freed by Maoists are Nar Bahadur Neupane of Nayabazaar-8, Dinesh Khatri of Samalbung-4, Keshav Raut of Shantidanda-5, Manoj Gurung of Maimjhuwa-2, Doma Sherpa of Sangrumba, Mangal Singh Limbu of Jeetpur and Bishal Gurung of Mabu-4.

The Maoists also haven’t released Som Bikram Thapa of Phakphok-4, Dillimaya Limbu of Jeetpur-4, Ratna Bahadur Nepali of Puwamjhuwa-1, Nir Prasad Rijal of Jirmale-4, Tara Shrestha of Mangalbare and Santosh Gurung.

Among the abductees, Doma Sherpa is a former Maoist cadre. The Maoists abducted Doma from the nearby district headquarters after she surrendered before the District Administration.

The Maoists also haven’t yet released then chairman Bam Bahadur Yongya and vice-chairman Rana Bahadur Khadka of the Paanchthar District Development Committee who were abducted on March 3 2006 from Chamaita near Mechi Highway.

Meanwhile, a report from Tanahun said district-based human rights organisations have urged the Maoists to immediately stop extortion.

In a joint statement today, the Human Rights and Public Welfare Committee, Human Rights Organisation, Nepal Bar Association, INSEC, Alliance Nepal, the Tanahun chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and district branch of the Federation of Non-government Organisations appealed to the Maoists to stop forcible collection.

The joint statement said that when the government has removed the terrorist tag from the Maoists, withdrawn red corner notices and also called for dialogue, continued acts of extortions by Maoists violate the people’s rights to live freely and peacefully.