KATHMANDU, April 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The anti-government guerrillas abducted over 1,000 residents from seven villages in Nepal's far-western district of Bajura Wednesday afternoon, The Kathmandu Postnewspaper reported Thursday.

    Those abducted include teachers, students, employees and other villagers aged between 18 and 45, the independent English daily quoted some local residents as saying.

    The seven villages, located about 700 km west of Kathmandu, have an estimated population of over 6,000.

    "The rebels had been collecting data from the area a week ago announcing that a member from each family has to accompany them for their so-called public campaign," the locals said.

    It is unclear where the captives have been taken, they added.

    Nearly 10,000 Nepalese people have lost their lives since the anti-government insurgency broke out in the Himalayan kingdom in early 1996. Enditem