Surkhet, February 15:

The Maoists have said they have not interfered with the construction works of the Jhupra Drinking Water Project. The Maoists have come out with a public statement on the issue as they are being blamed for the halt in the construction works of the project.

A press statement issued by Rahul, the Surkhet district secretary of the Maoists, said the Maoists had neither obstructed nor interfered with the construction efforts.

The statement also made it clear that the party had not demanded for donation from the project.

Welcoming the Maoist statement, the project’s Consumers’ Committee, said the construction wor-ks had to be discontinued under “unfavourable circumstances.” Balaram Sharma, chairman of the committee, hailed the statement as “positive.”