Dhangadi, March 23

CPN-Maoist Centre Province 6 in-charge and assembly member Lekhraj Bhatta today denied rumours that he was piling pressure on the squatters to evacuate private land they occupied at Haraiya, Kailali.

Organising a press meet at his home in Attariya of the district, Bhatta said he was neither involved in managing land for the squatters nor forcing them to vacate it. “We have not captured anybody’s private land or property after the Comprehensive Peace Accord. But those people who want to tarnish my image are making the allegations,” said Bhatta.

Then CPN MC leaders had captured 35 bigaha land belonging to Rana Bahadur Shah in 2007 and settled the squatters at Haraiya of Godawari Municipality in Kailali.

Some traders of Pokhara had purchased the land for Rs 600 million some time ago. Some influential leaders of the party also had been very active in selling the land.