Maoists deny kidnapping Polish trekkers (4:55PM)

March 27, 2006
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The Maoist rebels have strongly denied reports that they have kidnapped a group of four Polish trekkers last week.

Talking to Nepalnews over phone Monday afternoon, district committee member of the CPN (Maoist) in Solukhumbu district, Samul, said it was against his party’s policy to abduct trekkers. He said the trekkers were not in his party’s captivity.

The local Maoist commander blamed what he called enemies “in propagating wrong information” regarding his party. He assured that his colleagues would help in locating the Polish trekkers and escorting them to a safe place.

Earlier, a Kathmandu-based non-governmental group, Nepal Esperanto Association (NEA) had said two of the Esparanto-speaking members of the Polish trekking group had called them and said that they were “abducted” by the rebels. The Association, however, said it wasn’t aware of demands made by the rebels, if any.

The Association said it is yet to hear from the Polish trekkers. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

The group had left Kathmandu on March 21 and was on its way to Lukla in the Everest region via Jiri of Dolakha district—to the east of capital, Kathmandu.