Rukum (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Nepalese Maoist rebels are systematically indoctrinating children in order to recruit them into their militias.

Last month about 4,500 students, most aged between 9 and 15, were abducted from schools and forced to attend a Maoist rally where they were encouraged to abandon their education and join the revolution.

One of the children, who had to march for four to five days each way to attend the three-hour rally, said those who were too weak or tired to continue had been left behind.

In the district of Rukum, which is in the heart of rebel-held territory, groups of the children were undergoing training.

Asked what he thought of the Maoists' message, one 14-year-old boy parroted their propaganda: "It's for the creation of a new democratic state, to root out the autocracy and smash [King] Gyanendra."

Siddharaj Paneru is a children's rights activist in Musikot, the district capital, where what remains of the central government in Rukum is protected by barbed wire and landmines.

He said that Maoists sometimes use children as human shields and to carry supplies. There are several accounts of children coming under helicopter fire as the Maoists forced them to carry casualties away from attacks on army bases.

According to a disillusioned former Maoist guerrilla, now living in the central-government-controlled district headquarters, the Maoists operate about five special "children's units" in the district, each containing more than 15 nine- to 14-year-olds.

Describing how children came to join the Maoists, he said: "They don't know reality, and basically they are attracted by the 'cultural shows' [the singing and dancing propaganda troupes that tour schools]. And some of the children are very much interested in playing with guns and they imitate the older ones."

Last week, the Maoists used a school building in the village of Magma to hold a campaign meeting. Among the Maoists present were several children, some wearing items of camouflage clothing with their school uniforms.

Sharun Bantha Magar, the district chief of the Maoist "people's government", denied the Maoists recruited child soldiers, but he added, "[i]f they [children] want to join the militia, according to their will, it is his or her human right".

The Maoist revolt began in 1996 to set up its own 'democratic' state in Nepal. Since then more than 12,000 people have died, more than 10,000 since 2001 after clashes intensified.

Nepal has a population of about 28 million people, 46 per cent (13 million) under the age of 18.