22 Maoist rebels killed in clashes
AFP, Kathmandu
At least 22 people have died in renewed fighting with Maoist rebels since Nepal's royalist prime minister stepped down last week in hope of ending political turmoil in the kingdom, an official said yesterday. The violence came as opposition parties which had sought the sacking of pro-royal Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa vowed to step up more than a month of protests unless their communist candidate became the new premier. A security official said 22 rebels were gunned down in at least four clashes since the prime minister's resignation Friday. He said the rebels, who want to overthrow the monarchy, also snatched 36 teachers and students from a school Friday in the western Sindhuli district and were believed to be forcing them into indoctrination sessions.
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