OK, so Maoists have exploded the bombs. This is quite evident that they do not have "peace" in thier vocabulary. Explosions in Rupandehi on the eve of Buddhist conference (9:30 p.m.) On the eve of the second International Buddhist Conference in south-westerndistrict of Rupandehi, Maoist rebels have caused a series of bomb explosions, but there are no reports of casualties. According to latest reports, a series of explosions took place mostly in the rural areas of Rupandehi district Monday evening on the eve of the two-day shutdown strike in the district beginning Tuesday. Maoist rebels later called local radio stations and claimed the responsibility of the explosions. They, however, said the explosions were not targeted against anybody. A bomb also exploded near Radio Lumbini F. M. at Manigram in Rupandehi district this evening, sources told Nepalnews. The rebels said they had called the strike in protest of killing of pro-Maoist activists and leaders in the district by the security forces. They have claimed that the strike has nothing to do with the conference. But authorities say the strike clearly aims at disrupting the international conference. His Majesty King Gyanendra is scheduled to inaugurate the conference at Lumbini?birth place of Gautam Buddha?on Wednesday. Delegates from around the world including Buddhist monks and scholars are arriving Kathmandu on the way to Lumbini. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Rao Indrajit Singh and a Sri Lankan minister also arrived Kathmandu Monday to take part in the conference. Meanwhile, organizers of the conference-- the government of Nepal and Lumbini Development Trust?have called upon the rebels to reconsider their call. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dip Kumar Upadhyay, urged the rebels to reconsider their decision saying that the proposed ?bandh? will impart negative image to the country. Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has also urged the rebels to withdraw its `bandh.? nepalnews.com by Nov 29 04