At least 43 killed in Nepal despite truce - group

KATHMANDU, Dec 13 (Reuters) At least 43 people have been killed in Nepal despite a seven-month ceasefire between government forces and Maoist rebels, the country's National Human Rights Commission said today.

Since the truce was agreed between the two parties, there have been no major attacks in the Himalayan nation, although there have been occasional incidents of violence in remote areas.

The state-funded human Rights Commission said the Maoists were responsible for 15 deaths since April, when King Gyanendra was forced to cede power following weeks of street protests by political parties and supported by the rebels, while it blamed 11 on security forces.

Vigilante groups, which were set up to oppose the rebels, killed five people, and the remaining 12 were killed by unidentified people or in explosions caused by bombs abandoned during the decade-long conflict, the commission said.

''There were reports of torture by police and beating of people by soldiers,'' the commission said in a statement.

''The Maoists continued extortions and kidnapping of students as well as capturing schools or public buildings for setting up their camps.'' It added the state had been unable to take action against those committing human rights abuses.

Last month, the Maoists and the multi-party government signed a landmark peace deal formally declaring an end to the conflict which began in 1996 and has killed more than 13,000 people.

There was no immediate comment from the government or rebels on the commission's report.

REUTERS BDP BD2000