December 31, 2001

KATHMANDU: Maoists have stepped up rural terrorism after nation-wide search, cordon and destroy operations against them by security forces killing three persons in two districts since Saturday, police said Monday.

Rebels gunned down ruling Nepali Congress Party activist Ramnath G.C. after dragging him out of his house at Thansing in Nuwakot district Saturday night. Insurgents also killed retired policeman Ramnath Joshi of the same village that night.

Maoists shot dead Mohadutta Sapkota of Tarakhola in Bagluing Saturday, police said.