Kathmandu, June 21: Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi gave a statement of public importance at the National Assembly today.

Mr Joshi informed the meeting that a total of 1366 people have already lost their lives, property worth over Rs 180 million has been looted, and some industries and helicopters have been damaged .

A total of 2421 people involved in terrorist activity have surrendered and 217 persons have been kidnapped by the terrorists, of which 21 have been killed, while 113 persons have been returned. The remaining 87 are still in the control of the terrorists.

There have been 576 cases of looting, 281 cases of beating, 352 cases of explosion, 152 cases of arson, 221 cases of assaults on police posts, 835 cases of clashes with the police, 20 cases of vandalism at telecom centre and 19 cases of assaults on foreign-aided agencies.

According to the Home Minister, police arrested 5565 persons in connection with investigations and released 3944 persons after investigation.

Mr Joshi said since the Maoist problem is not a problem of a particular section, region or party, but a problem of the nation, all the political parties, intellectuals and the public should provide constructive suggestions for its solution.

On the occasion, the Home Minister also praised the role of the police who are fighting for the sake of the nation risking their own life.