Maoists abduct journalist, wife; union calls off strike

Kathmandu, Oct 4 (UNI) Maoist cadres abducted a journalist and his wife from their house in far Western Nepal.

A group of 15 Maoists abducted Pappu Gurung, scribe of a local Abhiyan daily and correspondent of Mahakali FM radio in Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur district, along with his wife Amrita Gurung yesterday.

''Local Maoist's incharge Indra Bahadur Raut had tried to abduct journalist Gurung from Babathan bazaar, but his group had returned following a strong protest from the locals after reaching an agreement,'' Kantipur newspaper said.

However, Raut has denied Maoists cadres' involvement in the abduction.

Meanwhile, Kantipur and agitating Maoist Union signed an agreement to resolve their ongoing problem.

The trade union has called off the strike and agreed to let the Kantipur Publications publish and distribute.

Maoists-affiliated All Nepal Communication, Printing and Publications Workers' Union had obstructed the distribution of the newspaper since a week.

UNI