Nepal 'regrets' attack on Indian priests by Maoists

Nepal has "regretted" the attack by Maoists on two newly-appointed Indian priests at the famous Pashupatinath temple and assured protection to them as police arrested about two dozen people, including the leader of the group that beat up the pujaris.

"This is very sad and most regrettable to attack Indian priests inside the holy temple which is the centre of faith for millions of Hindus across the world," Nepal's Cultural Minister Minindra Rijal said.

His remarks came a day after the priests Girish Bhatta and Raghavendra Bhatta, both 32, were severely thrashed by some 40-50 Maoists, who entered the shrine posing as devotees.

The priests' clothes and sacred threads were also torn by the former rebels.

Minister Rijal also apologised for the inconvenience caused to the devotees because of yesterday's incident at the fifth century Hindu shrine.

However, the two Indian priests, unfazed by the attack on them, today performed the daily rituals at temple, where Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood and Nepal Cultural Minister Rijal were also present.

Sood assured the priests, who hail from Karnataka, of all cooperation while the Nepal Minister said that adequate security would be provided to them to prevent a repeat of Friday's incident.

One of the priests had suffered a black eye during the attack.