Stolen gold is stolen again

Maoist rebels in Nepal have had a stash of stolen gold and valuables re-stolen from themselves, a Nepalese newspaper has reported.

The Kantipur alleges that around 23 kilograms of gold has gone awry as well as assorted items worth approximately $500,000 (£257,000), all of which was accrued illegally from bank raids and through extortion.

Bagheshal Community Forest in the Dang district of mid-west Nepal had hosted the valuables and they had lain their for some three years.

When the Maoist rebels went back to unearth their stash they found that it had been taken. As a result of this discovery, the rebels held three local villagers hostage, including the chairman of the Bagheshal Community Forest.

Reportedly irate by this action on behalf of the rebels, other villagers made their opinions known and consequently, the hostages were released.

Maoism refers to the former leader of China, Chairman Mao and is an off-shoot of both Marxism and Leninism. Maoist rebels are fighting for monarchy to be abolished in Nepal.