Thieves of the Thieves... . Maoists’ buried treasure stolen BY JANAK NEPAL MAHADEVPURI, BANKE, Feb 11 - Around 23 kilos of gold, cash and other valuables, which Maoists claimed to have buried at Bageshal Community Forest area of Mahadevpuri some three years ago, had been stolen mysteriously. Although the "buried treasure" was stolen within 24 hours after it was buried, the incident came to light recently only after Maoists "arrested" three locals for investigation of the disappeared loot. "We've been carrying out a probe since then," said Athak, Maoist's Banke in-charge, adding, "However, we are yet to nab the thieves." According to him, the cache was worth over 30.6 million rupees at present market rates. He also said that gold and cash, looted from banks after their Jumla raid then, were also buried as part of the stolen treasure. In connection with the incident, Maoists recently seized and interrogated Nokh Bahadur Wali, Purna Bahadur Wali and Durga Dangi of the village. Nokh Bahadur is the chairman of the community forest. However, they were released following protests by locals. "We interrogated them as their financial status suddenly saw drastic improvements within a very short span of time," said Athak. The Maoist sources also said that some of their party cadres were also under surveillance. However, a Maoist leader said the changing circumstance in the country was a deterrent for them to take action against "the thieves". "We've know who the thieves are," she said. "Some are here in the village while some have fled. But we will surely make them cough up the stolen goods, sooner or later." - http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=100252