Kathmandu, January 23:

The Maoists, giving continuity to the atrocities against the innocent civilians, kidnapped more than 200 persons who were working as daily wage labourers in construction of Chautara-Dolalghat road section of Sindhupalchowk District yesterday, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The press release issued by the Ministry states that a large number of former Maoists surrendered before the security forces and added that they were disenchanted by the activities such as bloodshed, terror, kidnapping and rape perpetrated by the terrorist group.

Those surrendering before security forces on Friday included so-called chiefs of the village people’s government Bal Bahadur Shahi and Kaluram Kami, so-called ward Chiefs Nara Bahadur Gurung and Chandra Bahadur Gurung, so-called people’s militias Krishna Bahadur Gautam, Top Bahadur Sapkota, Bir Bahadur Nepali, Deepak Sinjali and Surya Bahadur Gurung, Nara Bahadur Sutparai and Sukre Kami of Dandaparajul area of Dailekh District.

The security forces seized a large quantity of food items concealed by the Maoists in Dailekh yesterday.