Though Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is on a visit to Hong Kong and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai was engaged in a different programme, the former rebels hurriedly called a press conference also to express concern about Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent statements on Indian Maoists and infiltration by militants.

While Manmohan Singh has said that Indian Maoists have become the greatest threat to India's internal security and that there is mounting infiltration by militants from Nepal, Bangladesh and across the sea, the statements have become garbled in Nepal.

The Nepal Maoists have been stung by what they allege is the Indian accusation that Indian Maoists have been seeking shelter in Nepal.

'If the Indian PM talks about Indian Maoists, it is an internal matter of India and we have no comments. However, if he is implying Indian Maoists are being sheltered in Nepal, which is what Nepal's media has been saying, then we feel it is an attempt to create an environment so that India can justify its (interfering) action,' Gajurel said.

The Indian foreign secretary returned to New Delhi Tuesday winding up her two-day visit.

She had said the purpose of her visit was to assess the progress of the agreements made during Nepal's trip to India last month.