Rebels kidnap Nepal policeman

Maoist rebels in Nepal have abducted a police officer, as he was travelling on a bus in the west of the country.

Police launched a massive search for the man.

The Maoist group hold more than a hundred people, including police officials, civilians and political leaders kidnapped since the insurgency began five years ago.

The rebels accuse the government of arbitrarily arresting their supporters, some of whom they allege have disappeared while in police custody.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service