22 Maoist rebels killed in clashes

The violence came as opposition parties which had sought the sacking of pro-royal Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa vowed to step up more than a month of protests unless their communist candidate became the new premier.

A security official said 22 rebels were gunned down in at least four clashes since the prime minister's resignation Friday.

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He said the rebels, who want to overthrow the monarchy, also snatched 36 teachers and students from a school Friday in the western Sindhuli district and were believed to be forcing them into indoctrination sessions.