More tourists robbed in Makalu area BY SURENDRA SUBEDI SANKHUWASABHA, Oct 30 - About a week after 11 Dutch trekkers lost more than Rs 600,000 in the Makalu area, apparently to a thief, eight Frenchmen and a German tourist were robbed of cash and valuables in the same area, Wednesday. The tourists lost Rs 350,000 worth of cash and valuables from a hotel in Tashi village in Makalu VDC-3, according to trekking guide Man Bahadur Gurung, who was with the tourists. Earlier on October 10, Dutch nationals had lost cash and valuables from a hotel in the same VDC. Locals say some foreigners were robbed of Rs 300,000 in the area last year too. They claim involvement of a certain gang behind the string of robberies. "As there is no government presence in the area, no initiative has been taken to find out the lost goods or to check such incidents," a local said. Maoists, meanwhile, say that they are "carrying out investigations" to trace the culprits. Following the incident, the victims have returned to the district headquarters, Khadbari. Also, in the recent times, Maoists here have been collecting Rs 5,000 "donation" from every tourist visiting the area, in the name of "Kirat Autonomous Region". The area is located around 50 kilometers west from Khadbari.