In the last three months of 2004, a total of 1,298 cases of human rights violations were recorded. These cases directly affected 4,421 people while 504 people lost their lives at the hands of the government forces and the Maoists. According to INSEC from 1 October to 31 December, government forces killed 299 people while the insurgents killed 205. Most human rights violations took place in the mid-western region, where the government was responsible for 535 cases of human rights abuses and the Maoists for 511 cases while other parties were responsible for 251 violations. All over the country at least 2,700 people were directly affected by the human rights violations from the Maoists while 535 cases involving the government affected 1,100 people. During this period, abductions rose significantly. Out of the total 256 abduction cases, the Maoists were responsible for 242 abductions. INSEC said five persons were killed in government custody during this period while 67 were disappeared, 503 faced torture in government custody while the Maoists assaulted and injured 151 people. Other criminal gangs are known to be responsible for 13 abduction cases.