In a clear instance of violation of human rights and humanitarian laws, Maoists beat to death two alleged robbers in Bara despite their pledge to halt all violence for three months, according to reports.

The two men were accused of robbing residents of Ganjabhawanipur, a village in an area that has a strong rebel presence.

The rebels apprehended the men and brought them before villagers, then the insurgents beat the men to death, reports quoted Santaraj Subedi, the chief district officer of Bara as saying.

Police were sent on Thursday to the village to investigate the killings, Subedi said.

The rebels last week declared a three-month unilateral ceasefire, saying they would defend their positions only and launch no attacks on the government or civilians in an effort to foster peace.