Kathmandu, September 28:

Thanks to the Maoist-called ceasefire, an increasing number of people, who hail from different parts of the country and have been living in the valley presently, are preparing to go home to celebrate Dashain with their family members. More and more people have made up their minds to head home also because the Maoists have assured that they will not attack anyone involved in party politics. Though companies operating buses have added dozens of microbuses and buses to cope with the situation, more and more people have been visiting New Bus Park to book tickets.

“Last year, we sold tickets worth one million rupees in ten days last year. This year, we sold tickets worth Rs 1.2 million just in three days,” said Keshav Sangraula, the inspector of the Mid-Zone Bus Entrepreneurs Association. He said the association had asked entrepreneurs in Jhapa to arrange more buses. “Number of passengers seeking tickets has been increasing.”

Sharan Kumar Shrestha of Rupakot VDC, Tanahun, said he and his friends will be leaving Kathmandu for Dashain in a few days. “Thanks to the ceasefire, people are excited to go home this year,” he said, adding just a handful of his friends had gone home for Dashain last year.