- http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/pageloader.php?file=2005/03/21/topstories/main1 Maoists confirm Baburam Bhattarai?s expulsion Anti-Prachanda rallies lambast endless war policy By Our Correspondent DANG, Mar. 20: The Maoists have confirmed that Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has been relieved from the responsibilities of the terrorist group following his clash with Prachanda. The FM radio operated by the rebels from a secret location in Pyuthan district, quoting a statement of one of their leaders identified as Biplav, announced at 7:30 pm Saturday that the terrorist group took action against Dr. Bhattarai and his wife Hisila Yami. Though their so-called spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara refuted news reports regarding this issue, Biplav?s statement has clearly justified and exposed internal rift in the group. Meanwhile, activists of the group have protested Prachanda, taking out rallies and shouting slogans for ceasefire and peace talks at various places in the district, including Shantinagar, Baghmare, Rajpur and Bela, according to local residents. They are also reported to have displayed banners at Satbariya against Prachanda who wants endless war. The banners read ?Let?s close the base area on Chaitra 12 in protest against murder, violence, terrorism and loot.? Meanwhile our correspondent from Dhangadi (Kailali), adds, two young boys and a girl were injured when a grenade Maoist terrorists had left behind went off at Ward No. 8 of Dhangadi municipality. Seven-year-old Laxman Rana, eight-year-old Bir Bahadur B. K. and five-year-old Tara B. K sustained injuries from the blast that happened near a local pond at 3:30 p. m, according to district police office. Of the three, Laxman is reported to have been in a serious condition with wounds in two fingers of left hand and the heel of the right leg. All of them are undergoing treatment at Seti Zonal Hospital. Meanwhile RSS adds, a Maoist terrorist identified as Kumar Pandey alias ?Prabhat? died on the spot during the retaliatory action carried out by the security forces at Salme area of Nuwakot district today. According to a press release issued by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) public relations directorate, the security forces recovered explosives, combat fatigue, logistical goods and terrorist documents from the slain Maoist. Likewise, one sub-machine gun (SMG), two of its magazines and 40 rounds of bullets were seized by the security forces from the fleeing Maoists who were injured in a clash with the security personnel that took place at Piuri Dobhan area of Kaski district today. Meanwhile, the bomb disposal team of the security forces defused improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the Maoists at Kharchhuiya area of Saptari district on Saturday. Banners with slogans ?Down with Prachandapath?, ?Hold peace talks promptly? and ?Announce cease-fire immediately? were found along with ieds at Phidim area of Panchthar district. They were deactivated by the security forces on Friday, states the directorate. Similarly, the security forces conducting search operation at Mohanpur area of Siraha district confiscated a pistol and its bullets and three IEDs, eight detonators, equipment used in setting up landmines, logistical goods, and terrorist documents from Phulkharka area of Dhading district yesterday. One motorcycle used by the Maoists was also seized by the security forces from Ratanpur area of Nawalparasi district yesterday, states the directorate. In the mean time, the security personnel conducted a rescue operation when a passenger bus heading towards Biratnagar from Kathmandu met with an accident at Khadare area of Prithivi Highway section in Dhading district today. Medical treatment was provided to the injured passengers after they were rescued from the site of the accident by the security personnel, adds the directorate.