Kathmandu: Nepalese citizens had alleged continuous forced seizure of land and properties as well as extortion and threats from Maoist cadres even a year after the former rebels joined mainstream politics.

In western Nepal district of Gorkha, Maoists yesterday seized about 35 sacks of harvested rice from farmlands located in Palungtar VDC-8, belonging to Rajeshwor Devkota, chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Rastriyabadi, a pro-King party.

According to the locals, the Maoists mobilised a group of students from a local school to seize the crops.

Similarly, farmers in Banke and Bardiya in the region are terrorised as the Maoists allegedly demanded over one quintal of harvested rice per farmer in the name of seasonal donations.

In pamphlets distributed among farmers in the districts, the Maoists had stated that their party "expects help from farmers to provide the seasonal crops" and also threatened to take action against those refusing to pay heed to their demands.

Source : PTI