Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 25:

Amnesty International has expressed its concern over the sharp rise in reports of hostage taking and abductions by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist in a number of separate incidents.

The organisation, in a press release issued from London, expressed its deep concern about reports that over 30 security personnel and government officials may have been taken hostage by the Maoists following the Beni Bazaar attack, the district headquarters of Myagdi on March 20.

Among those missing are Deputy Superintendent of Police Rana Bahadur Gautam and Chief District Officer Sagar Mani Parajuli. In a statement issued on March 22 the Maoist leadership reportedly said that DSP Gautam and CDO Parajuli were in their custody, along with over 30 security personnel and government officials. The Maoists have demanded the release of three Maoist leaders - Matrika Prasad Yadav, Suresh Ale Magar, and Tilak Sharma - from army custody as a precondition for the release of all those held.

"If those detained are held solely in order to compel the government to release these Maoist leaders then AI would consider that they are being held as hostage and would call for their immediate and unconditional release."

Meanwhile, Nepal Bar Association Human Rights Project urged the Maoists to immediately and unconditionally release CDO Sagarmani Parajuli and DSP Rana Bahadur Gautam and all others abducted by them from Myagdi.