DHANGADHI, Oct 31 - Police on Monday night arrested 12 cadres of the Maoist's Young Communist League (YCL) from Taranagar area of Dhangadhi on the charge of extortion and abduction.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the district Ganesh Rai said YCL cadres were arrested in possession of weapons when they were trying to abduct a restaurateur at 12 pm.

After barging into the local Try Again Restaurant and Bar at midnight, they (YCL cadre) attempted to abduct its proprietor, police said.

The arrested include three women YCL cadres. Rajesh Chaudhary, the municipal in-charge of the Maoist wing was also arrested.

Police also confiscated five khukuris, seven sticks, four mobile sets and 10,700 rupees from them.

SSP Rai also informed they were closely observing YCL activities of extortion and abduction in Dhangadhi municipal area in recent times. "Finally, we succeeded in apprehending them on Tuesday while they were trying to kidnap a hotelier."

However, the YCL district in-charge "Mukti" maintained that they were not involved in any act of extortion or abduction. He added that they were simply trying to ban gambling during Dashain and Tihar festivals.

According to SSP Rai, the arrested Maoists will be released only after investigation and due legal process. He also admitted having received pressure to free the YCL cadres from Maoists.