Despite the appeal by the UN human rights organization to stop its ‘law enforcement’ activities, the Maoists have indicated that they would continue with it. Talking to BBC Nepali Service on Thursday, Pawan Man Shrestha, Maoist leader chief of Newa National Liberation Front (NNLF), said their efforts were aimed at controlling criminal activities.

Shrestha said his party will take steps to address the concerns of the UN Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). “There have been problems due to lack of proper places where those detained could be held in custody. But everyone should understand our problem also,” Shrestha added.

Earlier, the OHCHR-Nepal had called on the Maoists to stop their “law enforcement” activities around the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the UN rights body said that such activities have resulted in serious abuses of human rights. “OHCHR-Nepal considers these parallel “law enforcement” activities to be illegal, as well as in violation of international human rights standards to which CPN-Maoist has made repeated commitments,” the statement further said.

The rights watchdog mentioned that it had confirmed the abductions of 39 individuals in the districts of Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu in October alone. The CPN-Maoist itself publicly declared on 21 October that more than 80 individuals had been taken into captivity, whom they accused of being linked to criminal activities.

According to the OHCHR-Nepal, Maoist cadres have held individuals incommunicado in hidden locations – thus increasing their vulnerability to human rights abuses.

The OHCHR-Nepal also complained that Maoists had at times obstructed the officials from gaining immediate access to those in captivity. In response to this charge, Shrestha said that they were willing to provide access to the UN rights officials if they are informed in advance. “Sometimes, they just want access within one hour, which is difficult,” he added.