Dang, September 30 :

Maoists have caught hold of seven kidnappers involved in various criminal activities for the last few years. Maoist sources said three kidnappers were picked up from Tribhuvan municipality, Dang, this morning. One of the gang of four managed to flee, the sources said.

During interrogation, the kidnappers admitted that they abducted a Sherpa businessman and kept him in a hotel at Gongabu in Kathmandu.

The Maoists raided hotels in Gongabu area, took under control four other kidnappers and freed the businessman, Maoist sources further said.

“The Kidnappers abducted the businessman and took him to a hotel at Gongabu. Then, four others of the gang came to Dang and demanded Rs 1 million from Sherpa’s wife over telephone. They threatened to kill him if the money was not paid. Sherpa’s wife arrived here with the cash,” said the Maoist sources.

“She reached the spot mentioned by the kidnappers after informing us. Then our cadres took under control the kidnappers just as she was about to hand over the cash to them,” the Maoist sources added.

Details of the incident will be made public tomorrow, Maoist sources said, adding that the kidnappers’ identities also would be made public then.