Siraha, December 12:

Twenty-six persons have been killed by different groups in Siraha district in the past 10 months, said a report made public by the Siraha chapter of INSEC yesterday.

The report took into account 22 incidents that took place in the district in the 10-month period starting December, 2007.

Devaraj Pokharel, INSEC representative, making public the report, said three persons were killed by the government while 23 were killed by different groups.

The period saw 45 incidents of abduction in the district. Unidentified gangs were found to be involved in 31 cases of abduction.

According to the report, CPN-Maoist was involved in three cases of abduction, Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha in one, JTMM-Jwala in three, JTMM-Rajan Mukti in one, Madhes Tarai Mukti Morcha in four and Madhes Mukti Tigers in two incidents of abduction.

People from different walks of life, including children, human rights activists, teachers and health workers were abducted, the report said.

Over 200 persons were injured in police oppression during the second phase of Madhes Andolan, the report stated, adding, Sagarmatha TV correspondent Ganesh Shah and Annapurna Post correspondent Rajesh Prasad Barma were injured in police action.

The INSEC report maintains that two armed police personnel were ambushed while two children were detained.

It also stated that seven women suffered some form of violence. There had also been a rise in cases of seizing private property.