Army claims eight Maoist rebels killed in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s army said on Tuesday it shot dead eight Maoist rebels, ahead of a planned strike by the guerrillas who are fighting to overthrow the monarchy. Seven Maoists including two women were killed on Monday in a gun battle in eastern Siraha district, an army statement said, adding that troops recovered explosives from the slain rebels including material to set off landmines. Some 10,000 people have died in the fighting since 1996. Peace talks broke down in August 2003 amid Maoist demands for a conference to draft a new constitution. The Maoists have ordered a strike across most of Nepal including the capital Kathmandu next Monday and Tuesday to protest at the killing by troops of two senior rebels. The shutdown falls on the first days of the Kumari festival, a colourful pageant popular with foreign tourists. The Maoists have long pledged not to harm tourists but Canada on Monday became the latest country to warn its citizens not to visit the kingdom of Mount Everest. afp

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