Monday, September 19 2005 20:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Maoist rebels have abducted 48 teachers from nine schools in Nepal's eastern Morang district, official media reported today (Sept 19, 2005).

The rebels abducted the teachers from the schools in Kerabari village development committee yesterday (Sept 18, 2005), Rising Nepal daily reported.

Local human rights groups have condemned the abduction and asked the guerillas to immediately release the teachers.

Meanwhile, armed rebels have killed a rebel leader Sita Bhattarai alias 'Astha' of Chamaita area, and a self styled village people's Government chief of the Moaist organization owing to internal rift, the army said in a statement.