The CPN-Maoists have apologised to a pregnant woman whom they mercilessly beat up after hundreds of women surrounded their office in Parbat district headquarter Kusma. The woman Sushila Gautam who was accused of stealing by the Maoists appealed for her life after she was tortured by members of the party. The Maoists have taken responsibility of beating Gautam who was accused of stealing a gold necklace and said they would treat her.

According to Sushila the Maoist student wing ANNFSU-R district joint secretary Nirmala Neupane and other cadres gagged her mouth, tied her hands behind her back and beat her on the order of Parbat district's Maoist leader Sabin when she went on the date the party called her. The Maoists locked up her room and her New Deuti Electronic Shop on 13 September after which Sushila had to spend her nights on the streets. District Maoist leader Sabin said his party would look after her after pressure from journalists, rights activists and local women.

Gautam's husband has been under Maoist custody for more than a week on charges of threatening local businessmen on the telephone posing as a Maoist. "Although we cannot free him since he is under investigation, if the local people take custody of him we are willing to let him go," said district Maoist leader Sabin.

Durga Prasad Sharma in Parbat