Kathmandu, May 10: Owing to increasing threats from Maoist rebels, ten foreign aid groups have decided to pull out of mid-western Nepal and suspend development projects in the region. The groups, mainly from Germany, Netherlands, Canada and Japan decided to stop operations in some of the poorest regions of the kingdom after facing extortion threats and attacks from the rebels in Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi areas. In a bombing allegedly aimed at the Lutheran World Federation on April 27, two attackers have been killed. The groups, in a joint-statement, requested Maoists to respect laws, withdraw demands and stop threats against developmental organizations. "Support to the development programmes will re-start only when it is clear that staff can operate in a safe environment and according to the guidelines," they said. SNV (the Netherlands Development Organization), GTZ (German Agency) and DFID (International Development Agency) said they will suspend from tomorrow support to the rural community infrastructure works programme in four districts - Humla, Mugu, Jumla and Dolpa. Bureau Report