KATHMANDU: The Maoists rebels have abducted about 500 teachers from 30 different villages of Udaypur district during this week, reports said Friday. According to the District Education Officer, there are a total of 578 teachers in the district.

The rebels reportedly abducted the teachers to give them a brief training on Maoist literature and to pressurise the teachers into following the Maoist educational calendar.

The DEO has appealed the rebels for the safe release of the abducted teachers. Over 30,000 students have been denied education because most schools in Udaypur have closed down due to the abductions.