Maoist rebels fighting to install a communist republic in Nepal have this week abducted a total of 101 civilians from three districts in north-western and south-eastern Nepal, the army said Thursday.
A statement from army headquarters said 40 villagers were kidnapped from Deurali, Baluwa and Arwang villages in western Gorkha district Tuesday while the following day another 60 were abducted from Sifti locality in north-western Darchula district.
One resident of Rangeli-Tukluwa village in south-eastern Morang district was also kidnapped Wednesday, it said.
"We are hectically searching for (the) abducted villagers ... but they have not yet been found," an army official said. Earlier this week, the main political parties in the Himalayan kingdom accepted an invitation by the rebels to hold talks about forming a broad front against King Gyanendra but said that attacks by the Maoists on civilians had to end.