Nepal — Maoist rebels on Sunday freed seven government officials they had seized in eastern Nepal, and all were safe and in good health, an official said.
The freed hostages telephoned from the town of Birtamod, about 350 miles east of Katmandu, to report they had been released, said Vijaya Poudel, the administrative chief of Illam District, where the officials were seized on Saturday.
The rebels stopped the officials as they were traveling in a van on the Mechi highway near Kolbung village, 20 miles north of Birtamod. Of the 10 people in the van, two officials and the wife of one were not held. The officials had apparently defied a rebel order to stay off the road.
Rebel violence has escalated since King Gyanendra seized control of the government in February. He said the measure was necessary to quell the 9-year communist insurgency, which has left more than 11,500 dead.
The rebels claim to be inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong and are seeking to overthrow the country's monarchy.
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