September 01, 2001

KATHMANDU: Maoists Monday afternoon attacked an industrial plant inside the Patan Industrial Estate causing slight damage, police said.

A group of about 30 rebels attacked a plastic factory in the estate and fled after damaging property. The daily newspaper Kathmandu Post reported Tuesday that insurgents demanded a Rs. 400,000 donation from Kantipur Publications through a letter delivered to the publishing house that publishes several popular publications.

The demand comes despite calls by the government and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba personally to Maoists to stop such acts as peace talks are being held to end a communist insurgency that has claimed more than 1,800 lives in nearly six years. nepalnews.com br Sept.4