Abduction by Maoists?

[Unregistered]

Hello all, I'm seeking advice especially from Nepalese guides who have presumably been in the Annapurna region many times. I am a Nepalese living in UK and planning to (if it is safe enough) trek around the Annapurna circuit in Spring 2005. I have repeatedly seen it in the news about students and teachers being abducted . Although it may be safe for tourists and they can get away by paying money, what are the chances of being harrassed or possibly abducted in the Annapurna region as being a Nepali? I feel sad not to be free to go around even in my own country! I'll appreciate your honest suggestions.

[Rajendra]

As you beeing Nepali, you should be fine and you need to be polite to all the people, please don't tell them that I live UK and this will be better if you could go with other friends rather then doing yourself. enjoy beatiful trek in Annapurna.

[yakshaver]

I don't think I have heard of abductions of students/teachers in the villages around Annapurna Circuit/ABC. These areas seem to be safe.
Abductions seem to happen in the more remote areas where the Maobadi have fuller control and they can mount such operations without too much trouble. In the Annapurnas it would be very difficult for them to do this. This is despite the fact that they occasionally control the checkposts at Chomrong or Gorepani. The place to avoid would be Beni. But not because of abductions, more because you may end up in the cross fire between the Nepalese Army and the Maoists.