Maoists intensify ‘donation’ collection spree

Taking benefit of the three-month-long unilateral ceasefire announced by their party, Maoist rebels have intensified ‘donation’ collection spree in various parts of the country, reports said.

Kantipur daily quoted a school teacher—who did not want to be named—as saying that Maoists had asked all the school teachers in Chitwan district to provide ten percent of their Dashain allowance to the rebels compulsorily.

A local resident quoted a Maoist worker as saying that they had plans to raise over Rs two million from half a dozen VDCs in eastern Chitwan during the period of Dashain holidays.

A local villager from Jutpani village said, “We don’t have money to celebrate the festival. How can we pay them ‘donations’?”

Local people said Maoists had fixed separate amounts as ‘donations’ from teachers, government employees and businessmen. They had also extorted money from local people last year, the news report said.

The rebels usually don’t respond to such media reports. nepalnews.com by Sep 23 05