Maoists released 26 more police captives in Rukum Wednesday, newspapers reported Thursday quoting unnamed rebel sources. Insurgents earlier this week released 22 policemen in two groups.

Government says Maoists are holding 188 civilians and policemen. “We have no news about the fresh releases,” Home Ministry spokesman Gopendra Bahadur Pandey said. But this does not mean that the prisoners have not been freed.

Rebels Tuesday delivered 17 hostages to representatives of the International Red Cross. Maoist strongman Prachanda said rebels will release all civilian and police hostages.

Chief government negotiator Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Chiranjivi Wagle told reporters in Biratnagar Thursday government will not discuss rebel demands for a republic and the suspension of the constitution in the third round of talks. “They are non-negotiable,” he reiterated. Talks will be held somewhere in Kathmandu Valley sometime after Sunday.

Meanwhile, villagers of Tidihiya in Banke district severely mauled three armed Maoists who were forcibly collecting donations from the village school, police said. Three other rebels escaped the village dragnet around the group.

Police rescued the rebels from the mob and rushed them to the Bheri Zonal hospital in Nepalgunj where they are undergoing treatment for serious injuries. Locals also recovered some arms from them.