Ramechhap, November 6:

The Maoists have set up a tax collection post at Salu bazaar of Salu VDC-5 in the Manthali-Deurali road section and are collecting road tax from vehicle drivers since the last four days. Transport entrepreneurs said the Maoists are collecting tax from November 3.

The Maoists are charging Rs 100 for each trip, said a tractor owner Manoj Karki, adding that while they have stepped up their military activities they are also expanding their organisational network in Salu VDC.

Meanwhile, Sona Tam-ang and Sumitra Budha-thoki of Gothgaun VDC-3 have urged local journalists and human rights activists to ensure the release of their daughters Sanu Tamang (15) and Samjhana Budhathoki (14), respectively from the Maoists’ captivity. Both Sona and Sumitra said that the Maoists forcibly took away Sanu and Samjhana on November 1 to conscript them into their militia. The

women said the Maoists are not allowing them to meet their daughters.

The Maoists’ Ramechhap-Okhaldhunga committee member Bigul claimed that the girls had joined willingly. Locals, however, countered that the Maoists are promising good salaries to youths under 18 years of age and thus luring them to join militia.