The Hindu : International : A grave mistake, admit Maoists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2005

International

International

A grave mistake, admit Maoists

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Maoist rebels on Tuesday accepted responsibility for the blast that killed 53 bus passengers in Chitwan district, while 22 persons, including 14 security men, were killed in clashes between armed forces and the ultras in western Nepal.

``A group of People's Liberation Army personnel were involved in the attack and the direct leadership supervising the action have been immediately suspended,'' said elusive Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda in a statement E-mailed to the local media.

It acknowledged the blast as ``our grave mistake'' as the rebels had intended to target a military vehicle.

``The incident was against our party policy and we offer serious self-criticism to the general public for the huge civilian casualties,'' it said.

Mr. Prachanda said the rebels involved in the blast had been suspended from the group.

Clashes

Meanwhile, 13 soldiers and one policeman were killed in the attacks on Monday night between Maoists and the security forces at Masuria forest in Kailali district in western Nepal.

Security forces in turn killed at least eight Maoist rebels during the clash, army sources said.

The clash between the security forces and the rebels took place when the former had reached the area where the Maoists installed landmines. — PTI

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