The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Maoists to make their position clear over the unilateral ceasefire called by themselves.

Talking to reporters on Monday, member of NHRC Sudip Pathak said despite the truce offer, the Maoists have continued extortions and abductions in villages. “This is against the norms of the ceasefire,” he said.

Pathak, however, alleged that the state was responsible for more incidences of human rights violations during the Dashain holidays compared to rebels. He appealed the government to stop killing people after arresting them. He also urged the authorities to make public whereabouts of those being detained in the security custody.

The NHRC said it received 17 complaints including excesses committed by the security forces and extortions by the Maoists during the Dashain festival across the country.

When asked about the Commission’s views regarding the newly introduced media ordinance, Pathak said the Commission will comment on the issue in near future after studying the ordinance.