BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Paraguayan government on Thursday sent anti-rebel forces to the north of the country to combat the self-called Army of the Paraguayan People (EPP), which kidnapped an outstanding businessman 28 days ago.

    According to information reaching here from Asuncion, Paraguayan Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola said: "today, Nov. 12, I have ordered 100 policemen of specialized units, highly qualified, who have all our trust, to reinforce the hard work in the north zone of the country."

    Filizzola said those policemen would be sent to the Concepcion province. They would be divided into three groups and would be sent to Paso Carreto, Puentecino and Hugua Nandu, respectively. "The staff have all the equipment and technology" to perform their task, he added.

    Filizzola said the Paraguayan "government will not give in to any kind of blackmail, neither tolerate any kind of criminal groups."

    The EPP has split from the left-wing Free Homeland Party (PPL).It mainly operates in forest areas of Concepcion and San Pedro provinces, the poorest region of the country.

    The authorities have blamed the EPP for attacks and robberies.