12 February 2005	Saturday	02 Muharram 1426

KATHMANDU, Feb 11: Security forces scoured western Nepal on Friday for 145 prisoners sprung from jail by Maoists, as the army vowed to foil a road blockade threatened by the rebels to protest King Gyanendra's seizure of power 11 days ago.

The prisoners were freed when hundreds of Maoist rebels stormed the jail in the western Kailaliat region late Wednesday in their first big offensive since the king assumed absolute powers.

"An intense search is under way for the 145 escaped prisoners in the area," a security official said. Five soldiers and at least one rebel died in the attack reported late Thursday in the kingdom which has been under emergency rule since the monarch sacked the government and declared emergency rule.

Military experts say Nepal's armed forces are ill-equipped to tackle the increasingly deadly Maoist insurgency that has claimed more than 11,000 lives since 1996 in the Hindu kingdom sandwiched between China and India.

The new government has offered unconditional peace talks with the rebels who control vast swathes of countryside while the army has warned of fresh offensives to try to force them to the negotiating table.

The rebels have yet to respond to the offer of unconditional talks but Maoist leader Prachanda, or the Fierce One, has described King Gyanendra as the 'great betrayer' and offered to join hands with other political forces to restore democracy.

He also warned that unless the king reversed his power grab, the rebels will mount a countrywide road blockade from Sunday, the anniversary of the start of the rebellion.

Similar blockades in December and August virtually cut off overland routes into the country's capital, severely disrupting food and fuel supplies to the Kathmandu valley and sending prices soaring.

The army said it would not allow a blockade to go ahead. "We are well aware of the Maoist blockade but we will definitely foil their (plans) and clear the roads to ensure the continuation of supply lines," an army officer said. "Army helicopters will escort vehicles carrying supplies including petroleum products and other essential goods from India," the officer said.

Political parties claim up to 1,000 people were rounded up when the king sacked the government, declared an emergency and assumed absolute power. The army put the figure at around 100.

On Thursday the new government headed by King Gyanendra released seven senior political leaders, including former prime ministers Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who had been under house arrest since he took control. -AFP