Maoist atrocities against innocent civilians are on the rise. Incidents of extortion, looting and physical torture prove that the Maoists have no respect for human rights of ordinary citizens, say human rights activists. Recently, in Chhaimeli Bhanjyang, 20km south of Kathmandu, they looted Rs 1.5 million worth of property and cash after severely beating up three female members of a local household. Bhim Prasad Acharya's mother had just died and he was at Pashupatinath Aryaghat with his father, Tara Prasad Acharya, when the incident occurred. When they came back home, they found the Maoists had not only looted their shop, mill and all their savings but had also left a note saying that they had taken over the house and that the Acharyas should no longer live in their own house. A red Maoist flag can be seen on top of the house. "They showed a bomb and threatened to kill us if we didn't pay the money as they demanded," says Bhim's wife, Durga. "We told them to take everything in the house and we requested them not to beat us. But they wouldn't stop," adds Laxmi, Bhim's second wife. The group of Maoists included young women as well as students in uniform.