Kathmandu, February 3:

The Maoists today said they have taken captive only 29 persons after the attack in Palpa district headquarters Tansen on January 31.

This comes in contrast to the government claim that 36 people have been taken hostage.

Stating that they were mindful of the concerns of the human rights bodies, media and the families of the abductees, the names of the Prisoners of War (PoWs) were being published, a press release issued by the Maoists’ Western Command Division Headquarters said.

The Maoists have also assured of release of the PoWs after completing necessary procedures. They have denied attacking the FM station and claimed that only acted in self defence.

According to the Maoists, those abducted are: Palpa CDO Laxman Thapa; Inspector of the National Investigation Department, Yam Prasad Parajuli; ASI Sambhav Bahadur GC; ASI Subash Gaire; soldiers Kamanshingh Air, Dev Bahadur Thapa, Chandra Man Air, Rajendra Singh Mahatara, Sushil Kathayat and Meghsingh Mahatara.

Other abductees policemen: Ganesh Bahadur Thapa, Lok Bahadur Gautam, Lal Bahadur Pariyar, Dharma Bahadur Wali, Rohitkumar Jia, Krishna Thapa Chettri, Surtaraya

Yadav, Shanta Bahadur Rana, Gurudatta Sharma, Dharmendra Yadav, Kamal Bahadur Malla, Sita Ram Shah, Min Bahadur Pun, Tara Bahadur Oli, Bijaya Saha, Binod Shah, Megh Prakash Ghimire, Top Bahadur Gahamagar and Bhumi Raj Pandey.