Nepal Maoist threaten Indian nationals in Nepal

New Delhi, Aug 1: India has taken up ''very strongly'' with the Nepalese government the matter regarding the reported threat by Maoists to Indian nationals in the Himalayan kingdom and asked the G P Koirala government to provide safety and security to them.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in reply to a question that there had also been cases of extortion of Indian businessmen and joint ventures and these had been taken up with the Nepalese government.

Confirming that the Indian embassy in Kathmandu had received a specific complaint by one Rakesh Wadhwa about the threats, the spokesman said ''we have taken up the matter very strongly with the government of Nepal.'' ''There have been extortion cases against businesses including joint vetures. These have been taken up with the Nepalese goevernment. The Indian government is also in cosnstant touch with the government of Nepal and has urged them to intervene and provide safety and security to them,'' he said.

Asked whether these were isolated cases or presened a pattern, the spokesman said he would not characterise.

He also denied that Indian community leaders ''were rushing'' to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu in the matter and said these reports were ''factually incorrect.'' Reports here today said Maoists were ''hounding out'' Indian nationals from Nepal and had issued death threats and 24-hour ultimatums to them and leave baag and baggage.

UNI

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